What Is a Coral Reef?
Reef Locations
Reef Residents
Why Reefs Matter
Threats & Restoration
100

This term refers to creatures that build reefs using tiny living beings called polyps and calcium carbonate.

What is a coral reef?

100

Most coral reefs are found in this kind of warm, clear water.

What are shallow, tropical waters?

100

Fish that take shelter among reef coral and famously clown around.

What is the clownfish?

100

Coral reefs often called this, due to their amazing biodiversity.

What are the rainforests of the sea? 


100

When dismissed as rocks or plants, these organisms are actually this.

What are animals?

200

Coral reefs are actually this type of ecosystem, rich in biodiversity.

What is an underwater ecosystem?

200

This reef system in Australia is the largest on Earth and visible from space.

What is the Great Barrier Reef?

200

This shelled mollusk and this striped reptile often appear in reef videos.

What are giant clams and sea turtles?

200

About this percentage of all marine species rely on reefs.

What is roughly 25%?

200

This color‑losing event occurs when corals expel their algae, often due to rising water temperature.

What is coral bleaching?

300

These tiny animals live in colonies and build reefs by secreting limestone.

What are coral polyps?

300

Famous reef found in Brazil and French Guiana.

What is the Amazon Reef?

300

These two animals are known for hiding in crevices and changing shape.

What are octopus and eels?

300

Coral reef structures help protect coastal areas from this ocean-related hazard.

What are waves and storms?

300

This common skincare product ingredient, when washed off, can harm corals.

What is oxybenzone in sunscreen?

400

Like trees, corals have this that shows their age.

What are growth rings?

400

Reef types include fringing, barrier, and this third classification.

What are atoll reefs?

400

Parrotfish are noted for this unique feeding behavior.

: What is grazing on algae and coral surfaces?

400

These substances derived from reef organisms are used in medicines for conditions like cancer and heart disease.

What are chemical compounds from reef species?

400

Reef restoration often uses steel “Reef Stars” to do this from broken fragments.

What is to provide surfaces for coral fragments to regrow?

500

Coral reefs first appeared around this many million years ago, during the Early Ordovician.

What is about 485 million years ago?

500

Great Barrier Reef stretches over this approximate length in kilometers.

What is about 2,300 km? 


500

Algae living inside coral tissues are called this, helping with food and color.

What are zooxanthellae? 

500

In 2020, the global economic value of coral reefs was estimated to be up to this trillion‑USD amount.

What is about 9.9 trillion?

500

This method grows coral fragments either in ocean nurseries or labs before transplanting them.

What is coral gardening?