Healthy coral reefs are full of life! You’ll find all kinds of creatures—from tiny fish to sea turtles, to colourful corals and seaweed. Each animal and plant has an important job, like cleaning the water or providing food. This helps keep the reef strong.

A colorful underwater scene showing different types of fish swimming near a coral reef. A bright orange-and-white clownfish is near some soft pink coral, while a dark-colored fish and small blue fish swim in the background. The coral reef is full of different shapes and colors, with lots of sea life all around.

One of the most important parts of the reef is the coral. Corals might look like plants or rocks, but they are actually animals called coral polyps! Each coral polyp has:

  • A soft body with a mouth
  • Tentacles around the mouth that help catch food
Drawing of a coral polyp that highlights its tentacles, mouth, body and stinging cells.

Coral polyps grow in large groups called colonies. These colonies provide a home for many animals.

A drawing of a coral colony with 3 separate polyps. The center polyp is open so you can see the stomach inside.