Scleractinia Collection (page 8)

Picture No. 10892925
Pacific double-sattle Butterflyfish - Stony Corals (Scleractinia) (Chaetodon ulietensis) Date:

Polished coral C016 / 5994
Polished coral (Isastraea oblonga). Specimen from the Jurassic period, found in upper Portlandian beds in Tisbury, Wiltshire, UK

Platygyra daedalea, brain coral
Close-up of brain coral specimen, possibly the species Platygyra daedalea

Isastraea oblonga, polished coral
Isastraea oblonga (Fleming). From the Jurassic period, Portlandian, Upper Beds, Tisbury, Wiltshire

Thecosmilia trichotoma, colonial coral
Colonial coral originating from the Jurassic rocks of Nattheim, Germany, c. 170 million years ago. Paul Morh collection

Stylina alveolata, reef coral
A reef building coral originating from Jurassic limestones in Europe, eastwards into Asia Minor, and also in the U.S.A

Acropora, Worn coral
This specimen was collected by Charles Darwin in 1836 from Keeling Atoll, Indian Ocean

Stony coral (order Scleractinia). Close-up of the surface of a stony coral colony. Photographed in Indonesia

Bleached Montipora undata coral on a reef. Coral bleaching results when the symbiotic zooxanthellae (single-celled algae) are released from the original host coral organism due to stress

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

Diving into the vibrant world of scleractinia, we are greeted by a breathtaking sight. A diver cautiously approaches a magnificent colony of Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), its branching arms reaching towards the sunlight. This hard coral (Porites lutea) is adorned with mesmerizing Christmas-tree worms (Spirobranchus giganteus), their colorful plumes swaying in the gentle current. In Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, we discover a shallow coral reef flat teeming with life. Coral polyps of Euphyllia ancora display shades of brown and green, creating an enchanting mosaic beneath the waves. Camouflaged among them is a Common ghostgoby (Pleurosicya mossambica), blending seamlessly into its surroundings on a Plesiastrea sp. Hard coral colony. Witnessing nature's spectacle, we observe the synchronized spawning of Leaf corals (Pavona decussata). Across Kyushu, Japan in the Pacific Ocean, this phenomenon occurs over vast areas with numerous thriving coral colonies, and is truly an awe-inspiring event that showcases the resilience and vitality of these marine ecosystems. Moving to Kosrae, our attention is captured by a Giant clam (Tridacna gigas) surrounded by Lettuce coral (Turbinaria reniformis). The vivid colors and intricate patterns create an underwater tapestry that captivates all who behold it. Backlit by shimmering sunlight reflecting off the surface waters, Acropora microclados thrives in shallow water habitats. These hard corals paint a picturesque scene as they grow and flourish amidst their watery domain. Venturing to Gulf of Bohai brings us face to face with Sun/Tube corals (Tubastraea sp. ), extending their tentacles to capture passing zooplankton. Their delicate dance reveals nature's ingenious strategies for survival and sustenance.