Munk's Haven Reef, Bonaire Coral Polyps at Munk's Haven Reef . . This closeup of the soft corals at Munk's Haven Reef reveals individual coral polyps.
Coral polyps are animals that make up the coral colony.
The coral polyp extends tiny tentacles into the water to catch plankton, giving the coral its fuzzy appearance. The polyps' tentacles look like the blossoms of flowers, but they are animals. They are also delicate, making it important to protect the coral by not touching it.