Fish of the Day 31 - I got those coral polyps in me

Today’s fish of the day is the coral polyp! Another odd sea creature, and of course it’s really stretching the definition of “fish”. If you’ve been keeping up with this blog, you know I cover all sorts of sea creatures!

Did you know these aren’t plants or rocks?

Coral/coral polyp facts:

- Coral are structures formed by small creatures known as polyps. They are related to jellyfish and sea anemones, and they are very, very small… only around 1-10 millimeters in size. These small polyps form huge colonies, and create exoskeletons that harden or small, pointy sclerites, and they eventually form what we know as coral! 

- To add onto the last fact, there are two main kinds of coral: soft coral and hard coral. The hard coral polyps secrete cement-esque substances that form an exoskeleton, and the soft coral makes the sclerites. Both of these methods help give the coral structure stability, and give the polyps a form of defense.

- The largest coral currently discovered is off the coast of the Solomon Islands. It’s roughly the same size as five tennis courts. It’s wild to think that it was formed by millions of polyps! At the time I posted this blog, this huge coral was only discovered around a week ago, which is very recent!

- Coral can be found all over the world, not just in tropical coasts. However, coral reefs can only form in warm and shallow waters. 

- Coral polyps can reproduce sexually and asexually!

- Not much of a fact, but rather a warning; coral polyps share a very similar name with tumor polyps!!!! So if you plan to do research on these creatures… make sure you include “coral” in your search </3 I saw a bunch of gross stuff!

Do you got those coral polyps in you? If i ever become a marine biologist, I really want to do work that relates to these interesting creatures. Plus, some reefs are dying, so... I think it could work out! And I really want to help out!