The Coral Reef

Describe the seven major types of bony fish found in SeaWorld's aquarium: Angelfish.

"A" shape with top half of tail and main tail. "A" shape with two peduncal fins

Describe the seven major types of bony fish found in SeaWorld's aquarium: Damselfish.

"normal fishshape" colorful

Describe some human threats to the survival of coral reeds.

- Global Warming/Climate Change changes the temperature and could kill the reeds - Taking part of the reed for home aquariums will damage the ecosystem - Pollution will poison the environment.

Describe the seven major types of bony fish found in SeaWorld's aquarium: Triggerfish.

2 dorsal fins (one is a spine) body is a diamond shape

What is SECORE?

An international group that has developed sustainable methods of collecting coral gametes during spawning, growing polyps and colonies once they settle and reintroduce new corals to rebuild damaged reefs.

Describe the seven major types of bony fish found in SeaWorld's aquarium: Butterfly Fish.

Back fins/tail resembles a "B." B shape and elongated dorsal (more rounded shape)

List several animals that inhabit coral reefs. Give examples of how different species depend on the reef.

Clown Fish (depend on anemones for shelter) Sharks (food source from small animals) Reef fish (shelter for their young, spawning location) Octopus (eat small fish and crustaceans) Anemones (Depend on fish for nutrients)

Why is the coral reef exhibit constructed out of artificial coral instead of natural coral?

Coral is very fragile and could be broken easily in the exhibit. Also, since coral is a living animal with algae, algae blooms could cause damage to the animals in the exhibit.

What are coral reefs ecologically important?

It provides habitat to millions of fish around the world.

Describe the seven major types of bony fish found in SeaWorld's aquarium: Wrasses.

Look like cigars (skinny and streamline)

Explain the three types of symbiotic relationships. Give an example of each.

Mutualism (both parties benefit; example - clownfish and anemones Commensalism (one benefits, the other isn't affected; example - remora and shark) Parasitism (one benefits, the other is hurt; example - ring worm and human)

What makes an animal either poisonous or venomous?

Poisonous - you eat it and hurts you with toxins Venomous - it bites/stings you and injects you with toxins.

Describe the symbiotic relationship between zooxanthellae and coral polyps.

Relationship: Mutualistic Coral polyps produce CO2 that zooxanthellae use and zooxanthellae take in ammonia and return amino acids for coral polyps.

Describe coral propagation at SeaWorld.

SeaWorld breaks small parts of coral off of mature organisms, and exchanges these colonies with other facilities to decrease the demands for corals from natural reefs.

Describe the seven major types of bony fish found in SeaWorld's aquarium: Pufferfish.

Smaller, round, long, with small spines that can grow up when puffed (3x size)

What are some adaptations coral reef fish have that help them survive in their environment?

Symbiotic relationships with other animals, Venomous barbs, etc.

Describe the seven major types of bony fish found in SeaWorld's aquarium: Surgeonfish.

TANGS protruding spine at the base of the tail

In what types of habitats are most coral reefs found?

Tropical and warm shallow waters

What is coral bleaching?

When water is too warm, corals will expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues causing the coral to turn completely white. This is called coral bleaching. When a coral bleaches, it is not dead. Corals can survive a bleaching event, but they are under more stress and are subject to mortality. (NOAA)