Coral Color

[PeaBrain]

I was wondering if the colorful visual appeal that corals display actually serve a purpose with their survival. Like flowers display color to attract insects and ultimately reproduce.

Or is it just a random side effect that we appreciate?

 

[Wolf89]

Well, if you were to observe corals in the wild, they would all looked bleached to a reefers eye, due to how the light in the ocean works. It's really a human made thing their colors from our intense blue lights.

 

[Auquanut]

Great question! I have absolutely no idea! As a long time diver, I've seen some really amazing colors and displays in coals and anemone's. I'd love to know if there's a reason why (other than coral vanity). Anybody got any knowledge on this?

 

[litenyaup]

I’m also interested to know if there is any particular reason for coloration.

 

[PeaBrain]

I'm reading that the color serves as a sort of sunscreen. Pretty interesting. Still interested in why some are blue, green, yellow, red, etc.

 

[35ppt]

Here is a short article about color in corals: https://www.livingoceansfoundation.org/colorful-corals/

And for fish:
https://reefci.com/2013/10/31/significance-of-colors-and-patterns-of-coral-reef-fishes-an-overview/

 

[X-37B]

Here is a good article on it.

https://theconversation.com/revealed-why-some-corals-are-more-colourful-than-others-36866

 

[PeaBrain]

This is fascinating.

From 90's reefer's post above.

"The resulting increased light intensities in the new parts of the coral represent a potential danger for the algal cells that need to colonise these areas. Hence, it seems the corals use a clever trick to help their symbionts. The higher light intensity switches on the genes that are responsible for the production of the sun-screening pigments."