Their sheer cliffs provide anchorage for several corals and sponges.

This is perhaps the most common color for corals.

Hikkaduwa is famous for its beach, surfing, corals and night life.

It has a preference for corals stressed mechanically and in low salinity water.

It is an important area for corals and other marine life.

Tropical seas have the perfect conditions for myriad corals to flourish.

It also stands out for its shellfish, corals and anemones.

The acidity makes it more difficult for corals to grow and may even cause them to start to dissolve.

As scientists struggle to identify illnesses, cures for sick corals appear to be a long way off.

However, there are also extensive shallow shelves, noted for their marine life and corals.