After the coral completes its larva stage, it forms a polyp. Polyps have a soft, tubular body closed at the bottom with a mouth surrounded by venomous tentacles at the top. In order to grow, the coral must attach itself to something, either the ocean bottom or a rocky surface. After settling, the polyps begin to reproduce, eventually making a very large coral head. Most coral polyps attach themselves to a hard surface and remain there for life.
Coral reefs tend to grow faster in clean water.
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