What determines the color of a coral?

LeslieS · 12-21-2007, 01:23 PM

Not as in bleached or colorful. As in red, green, or purple.

Is it the coral or the zooxanthellae?

**bad coffee** · 12-21-2007, 01:24 PM

Zooxanthellae.

Coral skeletons are white. Fleshy tissues are bland colors without zooxanthelle...

B

**Deanos** · 12-21-2007, 01:30 PM

Zooxanthellae is predominantly brown.

Pigments in the corals tissues determine color.

prattreef · 12-21-2007, 01:30 PM

Actually, I believe most zoox are brown and color is determined by a variety of UV pigments, genetics and other environmental factors. This is a very complex topic. I believe Dana Riddle has been running a series of articles on just this in Advanced Aquarist mag. I think Sanjay might have other references too. Great question Leslie.

**bad coffee** · 12-21-2007, 01:42 PM

So is it the UV pigments backed by the zooxanthelle? I've never hit a bleached coral with UV light to see. Hmmm

B

**ellebelle** · 12-21-2007, 01:47 PM

B, I did a quick search of the scientific literature on this topic, and it seems to be incredibly complicated and driven by a variety of factors (though UV comes up most often - it seems that at least some colors provide more protection from UV light than others). Too much UV light can inhibit the Zooxanthellae growth.

noodleman · 12-21-2007, 01:50 PM

its the various proteins that the corals produce, that's why corals without zooxanthelle like suncorals have color also

LeslieS · 12-21-2007, 01:50 PM

lissa, can you give us some bullet points?

noodle, I totally forgot about our non photosynthetic friends.

**ellebelle** · 12-21-2007, 01:55 PM

Here is part 1 (of seven?) part advanced aquarist article:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006...l%20coloration

**bad coffee** · 12-21-2007, 01:56 PM

Thinking about non photos, none of them (that I know of) have colors that 'POP'. they're all normal every day colors. reds, yellows, oranges. bright colors, but not the amazing shades we see with our photosynthetics.

B

12-21-2007, 01:23 PM	#1
LeslieS Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Manhattan Posts: 1,946 Reefer Ratings: (9) Friends: (11)	What determines the color of a coral? Not as in bleached or colorful. As in red, green, or purple. Is it the coral or the zooxanthellae?

12-21-2007, 01:30 PM	#3
Deanos Moderator Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Bronx, NY 10475 Posts: 12,067 Reefer Ratings: (97) Friends: (17)	Zooxanthellae is predominantly brown. Pigments in the corals tissues determine color. __________________ Need help or have a question? Click the avatar below:

12-21-2007, 01:47 PM	#6
ellebelle Lissa Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Upper East Side Posts: 2,235 Reefer Ratings: (16) Friends: (12)	B, I did a quick search of the scientific literature on this topic, and it seems to be incredibly complicated and driven by a variety of factors (though UV comes up most often - it seems that at least some colors provide more protection from UV light than others). Too much UV light can inhibit the Zooxanthellae growth. __________________ Reef tanks are a cruel mistress. My 75g Tank! 40br Upgrade(ran 12/07 - 9/08) 29g Tank Log (ran 11/06 - 12/07) Last edited by ellebelle; 12-21-2007 at 01:51 PM.

12-21-2007, 01:50 PM	#7
noodleman The Lurker Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn Posts: 3,091 Reefer Ratings: (27) Friends: (6)	its the various proteins that the corals produce, that's why corals without zooxanthelle like suncorals have color also __________________ ...................-;- ...........................-;- ........-;- ......(Y) ........: ...................( ,,) . ·´ : ............*:· ·o((")")... .· ...-;- .............-;- ` · . . . · ´ ........................-;-

12-21-2007, 01:55 PM	#9
ellebelle Lissa Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Upper East Side Posts: 2,235 Reefer Ratings: (16) Friends: (12)	Here is part 1 (of seven?) part advanced aquarist article: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006...l%20coloration __________________ Reef tanks are a cruel mistress. My 75g Tank! 40br Upgrade(ran 12/07 - 9/08) 29g Tank Log (ran 11/06 - 12/07)

12-21-2007, 01:30 PM	#4
prattreef Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 2,969 Reefer Ratings: (17) Friends: (16)	Actually, I believe most zoox are brown and color is determined by a variety of UV pigments, genetics and other environmental factors. This is a very complex topic. I believe Dana Riddle has been running a series of articles on just this in Advanced Aquarist mag. I think Sanjay might have other references too. Great question Leslie.

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