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Corals | Ocean Park Hong Kong

Invertebrates

Corals

Large light brown coral formations on the seabed with small fish and two clownfish swimming in blue water.

Habitat

Ocean

Diet

Plankton and small fish

Fun Facts

Corals are composed of many polyps. Soft corals are joined by connective tissue, while hard corals join their limestone skeletons to make up colonies. Hard corals can build coral reefs over centuries.
Some corals are the host of zooxanthellae, symbiotic algae which provides them with vibrant colours as well as oxygen and nutrients from photosynthesis. Some corals have tentacles to capture zooplankton or even small fish.

Coral formation underwater with a diver in the background.

A large cluster of brown and beige disc-shaped coral polyps with light green centers, surrounded by other corals and rocks.

Close-up of light purple coral polyps with feathery tips against a blurred blue background.

Distribution

Most coral reefs grow in warm, shallow waters in tropical and subtropical regions, but corals can also be found in deep, cold waters and subpolar regions.

Threats & Conservation

Threats

Urbanisation & Infrastructure
Overexploitation of Biological Resources
Human Disturbance & Ecosystem Disruption
Invasive Species & Diseases
Pollution
Climate Change

Pollution and temperature changes may cause coral bleaching, during which corals expel the zooxanthellae and lose this source of colours and nutrients. Climate change is raising sea temperatures, while seawater is acidified by excess carbon dioxide and may dissolve the corals’ skeletons. Corals are also being destroyed by fishing tools such as explosives and cyanide. As coral reefs are the food and shelter of nearly 25% of all marine life, the loss of corals would mean the decline of many other lives.

Conservation

IUCN Red List

32 species are Critically Endangered, 252 are Endangered, 64 are Vulnerable, 33 are Near Threatened, 450 are Least Concern and 164 are Data Deficient.

CITES

1,818 species are listed in Appendix II and 4 are in Appendix III.

Conservation Regulations

Hard corals are all under Chinese Wildlife Conservation Law: Category 2
Many coral species are protected under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong. Additionally, all corals within marine parks and marine reserve in Hong Kong are protected under the Marine Parks and Marine Reserve Regulation (Cap. 476A).

Ocean Park's Conservation Efforts

The Park is committed to collaborating with various sectors to rescue coral fragments from Hong Kong waters, allowing them to recover, grow, and reproduce with the aim of restoring local coral communities.

Animal Rescue & Recovery in Ocean Park

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Fish

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Threats & Conservation

Threats & Conservation

Threats

Conservation

Ocean Park's Conservation Efforts

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