
Why Are Most Corals a Brownish Green Color?
Coral is among the most impressive group of animals; they are colorful and beautiful. However, many people now ask why most corals seem to have greenish-brown color. In this article, we’ll explain this coloration and learn how to care for stunning corals at Coral Cavern. Find the perfect reef coral tanks and soft corals to enhance your community aquarium.
The Science Of Coral Colours
The typical color of corals is due to the zooxanthellae, that are small animals. They reside inside the tissue of corals in mutualistic relationship for energy production through photosynthesis. Such algal pigments mixed up with the protein of the coral create the characteristic coloration most species display brownish green color.
Possible causes of Coral Coloration
There are diverse environmental factors about coral color.
Light Intensity: With high light intensity, highly colonized substrata become red to reddish-brown coloration; light intensity allows only brown coloration from zooxanthellae. Since there are varying shades of corals because they are exposed to different depths and angles of the sun, shallower corals appear more colorful since light penetrates them very intensely; whereas paler shades may be observed among the deeper corals due to lower penetration of light.
Water Quality: Water clarity supports light penetration, hence favorable to color display. Thus, the deteriorating water quality has been linked to the decreased brightness of corals; most probably caused by the presence of suspended sediments in large amounts or some other cause leading to chemical imbalances. Therefore, bright corals have to get an effective water purification process accompanied by an adequate hydrologic cycle.
Nutrient Concentration: Highh nutrient concentrations support a higher rate of growth for the zooxanthellae, and that means it would appear more brownish green. When the concentration of nutrients becomes too high, corals bleach by expelling their symbiotic algae and, in turn, lose the color. The right balance in nutrient content will cause bright colors without losing the colors due to stress.
Genetics: In addition to environmental factors, genetics is the most important factor in coral coloration. Some species are born with intrinsic differences in pigment, which enables them to have their own specific color shades, from deep purples to bright yellows. In controlled aquarium conditions and through selective breeding of corals, scientists have helped intensify and stabilize desirable color characteristics in some species of corals.
How to Enhance Coral Colors
If your corals come out thriving and colorful, take the following suggestions:
Light Optimization: It is through this that corals are going to achieve appropriate shades. There are different kinds of lights such as full-spectrum LED lighting systems, actinic lights, and metal halides usually preferred in aquariums to simulate the sun. Changes in the period and duration enhance the pigmentation of corals and their general health.
Maintenance of Quality Water: Regular pH, temperature, and salinity checks at intervals will ensure that the corals stay healthy. Consistent water testing for ammonia, nitrates, and phosphates allows the corals to receive clean and balanced conditions. Moreover, the use of quality protein skimmers and filtration systems will remove impurities that cause the lowering of vibrant colors in corals.
Feed appropriately: Feed the corals every nutrient they need but overfeed the tank. A well-balanced diet rich in phytoplankton, amino acids, and specialized coral supplements can really make a huge difference in terms of coloration, and targeted feeding techniques really help to get food into the coral polyps to be absorbed.
Monitor causes of stress: cause of stress on corals; this can arise due to sudden water temperature, fluctuation sudden salinity fluctuations, or by having an aggressively tank-mate. Commonly stress results in a loss of color and may be called a bleaching, the most unfavourable is that seems the most colorful which is kept without much perturbations to natural balance with not much fluctuation in the parameter.
Contribution of Symbiosis towards pigmentation in coral
Much of the vividness in coral coloration arises from the association with zooxanthellae. These are algae that absorb light and yield organic compounds corals use for energy. The other symbionts are microorganisms that impart pigmentation on corals. Some corals have fluorescent proteins, which absorb and emit light, thereby creating a bright appearance under UV and blue lighting. Their description involves knowledge about the symbiotic relationship.
Climate Change and Coral Coloration
Global concerns over coral reefs can now be associated with the buzz word of climate change. Changes in ocean temperature, acidification, and rising pollution levels are all believed to threaten the health and coloration of corals. Coral bleaching happens whenever there is mass expulsion of zooxanthellae due to high temperatures. This is possible with measures of conservation, reduction of carbon footprint, and support toward sustainable reef practices ensuring the beauty of coral ecosystems, along with its colors, into the future.
A note at Coral Cavern
We also provide a simplified guide for the proper care of your corals. Visit us today and discover the range of reef coral tanks, soft corals, and enhancement solutions for aquariums. Whether you are an aquarist managing to take care of the vibrant colors of your corals or a beginner who needs advice from experts, you will always find the perfect coral care essentials and top-quality aquarium products at Coral Cavern.