Coral Reefs Coral reefs are found off the coast of the Sinai Peninsula, to the south and east, and along the Red Sea coast of Egypt. A coral reef is an underwater formation of coral. Coral is a hard, multicolored calcium skeleton secreted by certain marine lifeforms called polyps. A polyp has a base that does not move, a column-shaped body and a free end with a mouth and tentacles.
Polyps live in huge communities, growing on top of the skeletal remains of dead polyps.
The diversity of life forms found in a coral reef is remarkable. Creatures include corals, beautiful underwater plants, sponges, sea anemones, sea urchins, star fish, sea horses, shrimp, eels, invertebrates and exotic colorful fish. Some of the fish are poisonous. Fish are attracted to the reef for food and for protection.