Habitats & Hotspots > Habitats > Coral Reefs (200) More files...
CORAL REEFS ARE THE RAINFORESTS OF THE SEA, occupying less than 1% of the ocean floor but supporting nearly 25% of all marine species. A healthy reef is like a bustling city, teeming with fish and turtles, as well as a multitude of invertebrates. Shrimps, crabs, brittlestars and worms, cohabit with slugs, snails and squid. But these marine utopias are disappearing before our very eyes. In the past three decades alone, around 50% of corals have been lost, with the latest forecasts suggesting that over 90% of reefs will be gone by 2050. Some problems are local in scope, such as dynamite fishing, or pollution (e.g. from agricultural fertilisers or sunscreens that wash off peoples’ skin). Other problems are global, such as the threats of ocean acidification and warming.

To find out about the race to save coral reefs, read our feature story here.
A vibrant Caribbean coral reef with two Reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) and Common sea fans (Gorgonia ventalina) and sea plumes (Pseudopterogorgia sp). Jardines de la Reina, Gardens of the Queen Nat... - Alex Mustard
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Alex Mustard / A vibrant Caribbean coral reef with two Reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) and Common sea fans (Gorgonia ventalina) and sea plumes (Pseudopterogorgia sp). Jardines de la Reina, Gardens of the Queen Nat...
Cuckoo wrasse (Labrus mixtus) male in front of Red sea fan, (Paramuricea clavata), Stupiste In dive site, Vis Island, Croatia, Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean - Franco Banfi
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Franco Banfi / Cuckoo wrasse (Labrus mixtus) male in front of Red sea fan, (Paramuricea clavata), Stupiste In dive site, Vis Island, Croatia, Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean
Whitsunday Islands, aerial view, Great Barrier Coral Reef, Queensland, Australia, October 2011. - Inaki Relanzon
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Inaki Relanzon / Whitsunday Islands, aerial view, Great Barrier Coral Reef, Queensland, Australia, October 2011.
Table coral reef in shallow waters, Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean. - Jordi Chias
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Jordi Chias / Table coral reef in shallow waters, Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean.
RF - Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) swimming over a coral reef. Whilst a Predatory bandcheek wrasse (Oxycheilinus digrammus) is hiding underneath the turtle to enable it to sneak closer... - Alex Mustard
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Alex Mustard / RF - Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) swimming over a coral reef. Whilst a Predatory bandcheek wrasse (Oxycheilinus digrammus) is hiding underneath the turtle to enable it to sneak closer...
Blue-throat Wrasse (Notolabrus tetricus) female in coral reef, Governor Island Marine Reserve, Bicheno, Tasmania, Australia - Gary Bell/ Oceanwide
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Gary Bell/ Oceanwide / Blue-throat Wrasse (Notolabrus tetricus) female in coral reef, Governor Island Marine Reserve, Bicheno, Tasmania, Australia
View of a colony of Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) growing on a coral reef. The growth in this photo represents 12 year's growth since Hurrican Ivan in 2004, which levelled the colony. East End, Gr... - Alex Mustard
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Alex Mustard / View of a colony of Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) growing on a coral reef. The growth in this photo represents 12 year's growth since Hurrican Ivan in 2004, which levelled the colony. East End, Gr...
Arrow crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis) on coral. Eleuthera, Bahamas. - Shane Gross
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Shane Gross / Arrow crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis) on coral. Eleuthera, Bahamas.
Hard corals (including Acropora sp., Platygyra sp. and Pocillopora spp.) growing in shallow water and reflected in the surface. Ras Umm Sid, Sharm El Sheikh, Sinai, Egypt. Red Sea - Alex Mustard
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Alex Mustard / Hard corals (including Acropora sp., Platygyra sp. and Pocillopora spp.) growing in shallow water and reflected in the surface. Ras Umm Sid, Sharm El Sheikh, Sinai, Egypt. Red Sea
Schoolmaster snapper (Lutjanus apodus) school in the reef, Little Cayman island, Cayman Islands, Caribbean. - Jordi Chias
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Jordi Chias / Schoolmaster snapper (Lutjanus apodus) school in the reef, Little Cayman island, Cayman Islands, Caribbean.
RF - Maldive anemonefish (Amphiprion nigripes) swimming above their host Magnificent sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica) on coral reef. Scalefin anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) swimming in backgrou... - Alex Mustard
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Alex Mustard / RF - Maldive anemonefish (Amphiprion nigripes) swimming above their host Magnificent sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica) on coral reef. Scalefin anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) swimming in backgrou...
Split level of snorkeler over coral reef on white sandy seabed contrasting with dry topside landscape in background, Komodo NP, Indonesia, August 2009. Model released. - Jurgen Freund
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Jurgen Freund / Split level of snorkeler over coral reef on white sandy seabed contrasting with dry topside landscape in background, Komodo NP, Indonesia, August 2009. Model released.
Midnight snapper (Macolor macularis) shelters in a cavern on a coral reef with white soft corals (Scleronephthya sp.) and solderfish. Vavuu Atoll, Maldives. Indian Ocean - Alex Mustard
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Alex Mustard / Midnight snapper (Macolor macularis) shelters in a cavern on a coral reef with white soft corals (Scleronephthya sp.) and solderfish. Vavuu Atoll, Maldives. Indian Ocean
Four Pygmy seahorses (Hippocampus bargibanti) on a Seafan / Gorgonian (Muricella sp. ) including one or several pregnant males. New Caledonia, Pacific Ocean. - Pascal Kobeh
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Pascal Kobeh / Four Pygmy seahorses (Hippocampus bargibanti) on a Seafan / Gorgonian (Muricella sp. ) including one or several pregnant males. New Caledonia, Pacific Ocean.
A Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi) swims over a Grooved brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis). Jardines de la Reina, Gardens of the Queen National Park, Cuba. Caribbean Sea. - Alex Mustard
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Alex Mustard / A Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi) swims over a Grooved brain coral (Diploria labyrinthiformis). Jardines de la Reina, Gardens of the Queen National Park, Cuba. Caribbean Sea.
Tropical island, One Tree Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia - Gary Bell/ Oceanwide
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Gary Bell/ Oceanwide / Tropical island, One Tree Island, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Wave breaking over the reef, Table coral (Acropora) Safaga, Egypt, Red Sea. - Jordi Chias
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Jordi Chias / Wave breaking over the reef, Table coral (Acropora) Safaga, Egypt, Red Sea.
Sea Goldie (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) school in coral reef with feather stars, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia - Gary Bell/ Oceanwide
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Gary Bell/ Oceanwide / Sea Goldie (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) school in coral reef with feather stars, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
Temperate deep water reef with sponges, sea whips, and feather stars, Governor Island Marine Reserve, Bicheno, Tasmania, Australia - Gary Bell/ Oceanwide
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Gary Bell/ Oceanwide / Temperate deep water reef with sponges, sea whips, and feather stars, Governor Island Marine Reserve, Bicheno, Tasmania, Australia
Soft corals (Scleronephthya corymbosa) inside a cavern within a coral reef. This species is typical of cave habitats. Uum Karerim, St Johns Reef. Egypt. Red Sea. - Alex Mustard
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Alex Mustard / Soft corals (Scleronephthya corymbosa) inside a cavern within a coral reef. This species is typical of cave habitats. Uum Karerim, St Johns Reef. Egypt. Red Sea.
RF - Denise's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus denise) looks out from its home in a sea fan (Annella sp.). Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Ceram Sea. Tropical West Pacific Ocean. (This image... - Alex Mustard
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Alex Mustard / RF - Denise's pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus denise) looks out from its home in a sea fan (Annella sp.). Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Ceram Sea. Tropical West Pacific Ocean. (This image...
RF - Scissortail sergeants fish (Abudefduf sexfasciatus) sheltering beneath hard coral (Acropora sp.) in the evening on a coral reef, Red Sea. (This image may be licensed either as rights managed or... - Alex Mustard
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Alex Mustard / RF - Scissortail sergeants fish (Abudefduf sexfasciatus) sheltering beneath hard coral (Acropora sp.) in the evening on a coral reef, Red Sea. (This image may be licensed either as rights managed or...
RF - A vibrant Red Sea coral reef scene, with orange female Scalefin anthias fish (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) teeming over Fire coral (Millepora dichotoma) feeding on plankton brought to the reef by... - Alex Mustard
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Alex Mustard / RF - A vibrant Red Sea coral reef scene, with orange female Scalefin anthias fish (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) teeming over Fire coral (Millepora dichotoma) feeding on plankton brought to the reef by...
Split level view of coral reef, Komodo National Park, Flores, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia. Second Place in the Portfolio Award of the Terre Sauvage Nature Images Awards Competition 2015. - Jurgen Freund
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Jurgen Freund / Split level view of coral reef, Komodo National Park, Flores, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia. Second Place in the Portfolio Award of the Terre Sauvage Nature Images Awards Competition 2015.
Blue linkia starfish (Linckia laevigata) pair attached to the dead part of coral, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea - Jurgen Freund
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Jurgen Freund / Blue linkia starfish (Linckia laevigata) pair attached to the dead part of coral, New Ireland, Papua New Guinea
Flower tree soft corals (Umbellulifera sp.), Triton Bay, near Kaimana, West Papua, Indonesia - Linda Pitkin
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Linda Pitkin / Flower tree soft corals (Umbellulifera sp.), Triton Bay, near Kaimana, West Papua, Indonesia
Masked butterflyfish (Chaetodon semilarvatus), pair sheltering under table coral (Acropora) Shark Reef to Jolande, Ras Mohammed National Park, Egypt, Red Sea. - Linda Pitkin
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Linda Pitkin / Masked butterflyfish (Chaetodon semilarvatus), pair sheltering under table coral (Acropora) Shark Reef to Jolande, Ras Mohammed National Park, Egypt, Red Sea.
Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) swimming through gorgonians on a coral reef. Bloody Bay Wall, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. Caribbean Sea. - Alex Mustard
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Alex Mustard / Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) swimming through gorgonians on a coral reef. Bloody Bay Wall, Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. Caribbean Sea.
A shiver of Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) swim over a coral reef with Common sea fans (Gorgonia ventalina) and sea plumes (Pseudopterogorgia sp). Jardines de la Reina, Gardens of the Que... - Alex Mustard
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Alex Mustard / A shiver of Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) swim over a coral reef with Common sea fans (Gorgonia ventalina) and sea plumes (Pseudopterogorgia sp). Jardines de la Reina, Gardens of the Que...
Brain coral (Platygyra daedalea) beneath a breaking storm wave, on a coral reef. Sha'ab Claudia, Fury Shoal, Egypt. Red Sea - Alex Mustard
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Alex Mustard / Brain coral (Platygyra daedalea) beneath a breaking storm wave, on a coral reef. Sha'ab Claudia, Fury Shoal, Egypt. Red Sea
Table coral (Acropora) with Giant clams (Tridacna gigas) Addu Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean. - Jordi Chias
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Jordi Chias / Table coral (Acropora) with Giant clams (Tridacna gigas) Addu Atoll, Maldives, Indian Ocean.
Healthy coral reef with cabbage corals and hard corals, Komodo NP, Indonesia. - Jurgen Freund
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Jurgen Freund / Healthy coral reef with cabbage corals and hard corals, Komodo NP, Indonesia.
Split level view of Fijian reef with Alconarian and Gorgonian coral and Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Fiji. - David Fleetham
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David Fleetham / Split level view of Fijian reef with Alconarian and Gorgonian coral and Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Fiji.
Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) swims along a coral reef with pink soft coral (Dendronepthya sp.). Ras Mohammed National Park, Sinai, Egypt. Red Sea. - Alex Mustard
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Alex Mustard / Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) swims along a coral reef with pink soft coral (Dendronepthya sp.). Ras Mohammed National Park, Sinai, Egypt. Red Sea.
A soft coral growing on a coral reed. East End, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies. Caribbean Sea - Alex Mustard
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Alex Mustard / A soft coral growing on a coral reed. East End, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies. Caribbean Sea
Cling Goby (Pleurosicya micheli) and coral polyps, Great Barrier Reef, Australia - Gary Bell/ Oceanwide
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Gary Bell/ Oceanwide / Cling Goby (Pleurosicya micheli) and coral polyps, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Stony Coral (Tubastraea sp) polyps, Anilao, Philippines - Gary Bell/ Oceanwide
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Gary Bell/ Oceanwide / Stony Coral (Tubastraea sp) polyps, Anilao, Philippines
Mushroom Coral (Fungia sp) polyp, Great Barrier Reef, Australia - Gary Bell/ Oceanwide
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Gary Bell/ Oceanwide / Mushroom Coral (Fungia sp) polyp, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Gorgonian fan coral / Sea fan {Gorganacea} Bunaken, Sulawesi, Indonesia - Georgette Douwma
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Georgette Douwma / Gorgonian fan coral / Sea fan {Gorganacea} Bunaken, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Striped triplefin (Helcogramma striata) on tubastraea coral, Indonesia. - David Fleetham
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David Fleetham / Striped triplefin (Helcogramma striata) on tubastraea coral, Indonesia.
Tiny reef crab on soft coral, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea. - Jurgen Freund
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Jurgen Freund / Tiny reef crab on soft coral, West New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
Blue soft corals, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. - Jurgen Freund
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Jurgen Freund / Blue soft corals, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Scuba diver with Red gorgonian coral (Paramuricea clavata), Ponza Island, Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean. - Franco Banfi
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Franco Banfi / Scuba diver with Red gorgonian coral (Paramuricea clavata), Ponza Island, Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea, Mediterranean.
RF - Polyps on gorgonian fan coral. West Papua, Indonesia. (This image may be licensed either as rights managed or royalty free.) - Georgette Douwma
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Georgette Douwma / RF - Polyps on gorgonian fan coral. West Papua, Indonesia. (This image may be licensed either as rights managed or royalty free.)
Gorgonian / Sea whip coral (Ellisella ceratophyta), close up, West Papua, Indonesia. - Georgette Douwma
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Georgette Douwma / Gorgonian / Sea whip coral (Ellisella ceratophyta), close up, West Papua, Indonesia.
Coral (Platygyra sp), Christmas Island, Australia - Gary Bell/ Oceanwide
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Gary Bell/ Oceanwide / Coral (Platygyra sp), Christmas Island, Australia
Hermit Crab (Paguritta gracilipes) in Hump Coral (Porites sp) 30 feet deep, Solomon Islands - Chris Newbert
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Chris Newbert / Hermit Crab (Paguritta gracilipes) in Hump Coral (Porites sp) 30 feet deep, Solomon Islands
Coral (Platygyra sp) polyp, Great Barrier Reef, Australia - Gary Bell/ Oceanwide
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Gary Bell/ Oceanwide / Coral (Platygyra sp) polyp, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
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