Reefs set the stage for a cast of thousands Coral reefs support a diversity of life rivaling tropical rainforests on land. A reef's a patchwork of living spaces. Each part is separate from the others, yet all are linked together in intricate webs of life we're only beginning to understand. Delicately branching staghorn corals grow like weeds, taking advantage of any new opening. But storm waves can quickly pound them into pieces.
Brain corals grow more slowly, but their solid skeletons stand strong in storms.
Many worms, crabs, snails, fishes and sea urchins feed on the corals. Anemonefish snuggle safely in their anemones . Protected from predators by the anemone's stinging cells, the fish may pay their way by providing scraps of food for the anemone. The cleaners perform a needed service to the fish and in return get a free meal and immunity from being eaten.