Structural animals

Underwater, much of the structure that provides habitat and shelter on coral reefs is actually animals, or was built by animals.  Corals are animals, and sponges are animals.  These structural animals are abundant, quite varied, and very colorful.  They have created the coral reef ecosystem.

The photos below are a few examples of corals and sponges. Sorry, but I don't have my coral ID book with me, so I can't provide the species names.

Elkhorn coral

Coral

Coral

Coral

Brain coral in background another coral in foreground

Coral in the background, green turtle in foreground

Green finger sponge and golden zoanthids

Rope sponge and a graysby

At least 4 varieties of sponge

Two varieties of sponge and a whitespotted filefish