Hard Coral Collection (page 5)

Colorful reef-building corals grow on a reef inside Palaus lagoon. Palau is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers

Red soft corals and blue leather sea star, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

A snorkeler explores a healthy coral reef in Palaus lagoon

Underside of a table coral, Papua New Guinea
Underside of a table coral (Acropora hyacinthus), Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

Polyps of a Galaxea coral colony grow on a reef in Indonesia. This tropical region, within the Coral Triangle, is home to an incredible variety of marine life

Orange Basslets and other reef fish, Papua New Guinea

Christmas Tree Worm in hard coral, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

Hard coral polyps at 3x life size, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

A beautiful coral reef grows near a set of limestone islands in Indonesia
A beautiful coral reef grows near a set of limestone islands in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote, equatorial region is known as the heart of the Coral Triangle

Detail of coral polyps growing on a reef in Indonesia
Detail of coral polyps (Diploastrea sp.) growing on a reef in Indonesia. This area is known for its high marine biodiversity

A pair of Yellowtail Damselfish amongst hard coral
A pair of Goldtail Demoiselle (Chrysiptera parasema) amongst hard coral, Volcano Crater Witu Islands, Papua New Guinea

A coral reef grows in shallow water in the Solomon Islands
A colorful coral reef grows in shallow water in the Solomon Islands. This Melanesian region is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

Mushroom and hard corals in Alor, Indonesia
Mushroom and hard corals thrive in shallow water in Alor, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its beautiful reefs and spectacular marine biodiversity

Close-up view of a Christmas Tree Worm, Key Largo, Florida
A close-up view of a Christmas Tree Worm (Spirobranchus grandis) on a coral reef in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Key Largo, Florida

Peppermint Goby and Christmas tree worm on hard coral, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

A diverse array of invertebrates cover a reef in Indonesia
A diverse array of invertebrates cover a healthy reef in Indonesia. This region is home to more marine species than anywhere else on Earth

Foliose corals grow in Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Fragile corals grow in extremely shallow water in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This part of the Coral Triangle is known for its high marine biodiversity

Spiralling orange sea whip, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Fragile corals grow in shallow water in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This region is known as the heart of the Coral Triangle and houses the highest marine biodiversity on Earth

Tiny cryptic brown and grey shrimp mimicking soft coral
Tiny cryptic unidentified brown and grey shrimp mimicking soft coral, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Reticulate humbugs gather under stone coral, Papua New Guinea
Reticulate humbugs (Dascyllus reticulatus) gather under stone coral, Fathers reef, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

Banded coral shrimp amongst staghorn coral, Papua New Guinea
Banded coral shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) amongst staghorn coral, Fathers reef, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

Secretary blenny makes its home nestled in some hard coral, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

A healthy coral reef grows near limestone islands in Raja Ampat
A healthy and diverse coral reef grows near limestone islands in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote region is known as the heart of the Coral Triangle

A vibrant and healthy coral reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia
A vibrant and healthy coral reef thrives in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical area in the western Pacific harbors an extraordinary array of marine organisms

School of black and white convict blenny in brown black coral bush, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

A diver swims above a healthy coral reef in Indonesia
A diver swims above a healthy coral reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity

Hard coral and soft coral seascape, Fiji

Staghorn corals thrive on a reef in the Solomon Islands
Staghorn corals thrive on a healthy reef in the Solomon Islands. This part of Melanesia is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers

Fragile corals grow in Komodo National Park, Indonesia
Fragile corals grow in extremely shallow water in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This part of the Coral Triangle is known for its high marine biodiversity

A mushroom coral grows on a reef in Indonesia
A mushroom coral (Fungia sp.) grows on a reef in Indonesia. This family of corals does not fuse to the seafloor. They live independently and can be moved about

Large staghorn coral and scuba diver, Christmas Island, Australia

A mushroom coral fluoresces as UV light is shown upon it
A mushroom coral (Fungia sp.) fluoresces as UV light is shown upon it. Why many marine organisms fluoresce is unknown

Cabbage Coral amongst other corals in the South Pacific Ocean, Fiji
Cabbage Coral (Turbinaria reniformis) stands out amongst the other soft and hard corals in the South Pacific ocean waters off the coast of Likuri Island, Fiji

A Heliofungia coral colony grows on a reef inside Palaus lagoon. Palau is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers

Reef-building corals thrive on a reef in the Solomon Islands
Reef-building corals thrive on a healthy reef in the Solomon Islands. This part of Melanesia is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers

Soft corals thrive in shallow water in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its beautiful reefs and spectacular marine biodiversity

Corals grow on a shallow reef in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This beautiful and remote region is known for its spectacular reefs and high marine biodiversity

Colorful reef scene of orange anthias swimming amongst hard corals
Colorful reef scene with red, yellow and green hard corals, and a school of orange anthias, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Red spindle cowrie on whip coral, Bali, Indonesia

A coral reef grows near the shore of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, Melanesia

Large staghorn coral, Christmas Island, Australia
Large staghorn coral viewed from below, Christmas Island, Australia

Extreme close-up of a crust anemone, Papua New Guinea

A school of orange basslets on a healthy coral reef in Fiji
A school of orange basslets (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) on a healthy coral reef, Fiji

Sharpnose Goby sits on some hard coral
Sharknose Goby sits on some hard coral, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

Christmas Tree Worm in hard coral, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

Reef scene with gorgonian sea fans and soft corals, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

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The vibrant world of hard coral is a sight to behold. In the crystal-clear waters, a school of green chromis gracefully weaves through the ocean currents, their emerald bodies shimmering in the sunlight. A couple of majestic green turtles glide alongside them, their ancient shells providing shelter for countless marine creatures. As a diver approaches, an awe-inspiring sight awaits - a large colony of Elkhorn coral stands tall and proud. Its intricate branches reach towards the surface, creating a mesmerizing underwater forest that teems with life. Amongst its delicate branches, Christmas-tree worms sway gently in rhythm with the waves, displaying their colorful plumes like ornaments on nature's own Christmas tree. Further along the reef flat lies another spectacle - Euphyllia ancora polyps in shades of brown and green create a stunning mosaic against Lembeh Strait's sandy bottom. This underwater oasis is home to corals such as Pocillopora damicornis which thrive under the warm tropical sun. Nature's camouflage artist can also be found here - a Common ghostgoby perfectly blends into its surroundings on top of a hard coral colony known as Plesiastrea sp. , showcasing nature's incredible ability to adapt and survive. In Kyushu, Japan, Pacific Ocean, an extraordinary event takes place as Leaf corals begin spawning simultaneously over vast distances. The synchronized release creates an enchanting display that fills the water with new life and potential for future generations. Symbiosis comes alive when open brain coral forms partnerships with zooxanthellae algae within its structure. This mutualistic relationship allows both organisms to flourish together harmoniously. A Giant clam surrounded by Lettuce coral paints yet another picture-perfect scene off Kosrae island. These magnificent creatures find solace amongst Turbinaria reniformis' fronds while adding splashes of color to this already breathtaking seascape. Shallow waters hold secrets too.