Distribution

Various species of corals are found in all oceans of the world, from the tropics to the polar regions.

Reef-building corals are scattered throughout the tropical and subtropical Western Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans, generally within 30°N and 30°S latitudes.

Western Atlantic reefs include these areas: Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Caribbean Islands, Belize, Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico.

The Indo-Pacific ocean region extends from the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf through the Indian and Pacific oceans to the western coast of Panama. Corals grow on rocky outcrops in some areas of the Gulf of California.

Habitat Requirements

Although various types of corals can be found from the water's surface to depths of 19,700 ft. (6,000 m), reef-building corals are generally found at depths of less than 150 ft (46 m), where sunlight penetrates. Because reef-building corals have a symbiotic relationship with a type of microscopic algae, sunlight is necessary for these corals to thrive and grow.

Reefs tend to grow faster in clear water. Clear water allows light to reach the symbiotic algae living within the coral polyp's tissue. Many scientists believe that the algae, called zooxanthellae, promote polyp calcification. See adaptations for more information on this algae and its relationship with coral.

Light-absorbing adaptations enable some reef- building corals to live in dim blue light.

Reef-building corals require warm ocean temperatures (68° to 82° F, or 20° to 28° C). Warm water flows along the eastern shores of major land masses.

Reef development is generally more abundant in areas that are subject to strong wave action. Waves carry food, nutrients, and oxygen to the reef; distribute coral larvae; and prevent sediment from settling on the coral reef.

Precipitation of calcium from the water is necessary to form a coral polyp's skeleton. This precipitation occurs when water temperature and salinity are high and carbon dioxide concentrations are low. These conditions are typical of shallow, warm tropical waters.

Most corals grow on a hard substrate.