Elkhorn Coral

Description:

Photo take at -35 ft on a coral reef. This species of coral is structurally complex with many large branches. The coral structure closely resembles that of elk antlers. These branches create habitats for many other reef species such as lobsters, parrot-fish, snapper shrimps and other reef fish. Elkhorn coral colonies are incredibly fast growing with an average growth rate of 5 to 10 centimetres per year and can eventually grow up to 3.7 metres in diameter. The color of this coral species ranges from brown to a yellowish-brown. This color is a result of the symbiotic zooxanthellae that live inside the tissue of this coral species. Zooxanthellae is a type of algae which photosynthesizes to provide the coral with nutrients. Wikipedia.

Habitat:

Found on shallow waters on coral reefs from Florida all the Caribbean sea , Central America to north Brazil.