Coral Reef Animals

Coral Reef Animals

Description
Description

There are millions of species that live in and around coral reefs, and 25% of all marine species live in coral reefs. Fish, corals, lobsters, clams, seahorses, sponges, sea turtles, as well as many more creatures rely on the reefs of their survival. These habitats are threatened by a range of human activities like water pollution, overfishing and destructive fishing practices, disease, climate change, and ship groundings. The great diversity and high biomass of the organisms that live in coral reefs is due to the large amount of hiding places for species to take refuge.

Common Questions
Common Questions
Why do animals live in coral reefs?

Animals live in coral reefs because this habitat provides warm water as well as an abundant food supply. The physical form of coral reefs has a lot of nooks and crannies that help fish hide from potential predators. Many small tropical fish typically live within coral reefs.

Can animals harm coral reefs?

Yes, animals can harm coral reefs if the predator populations can become too high, and thus corals can become devastated. Coral reefs can also be harmed through overheating causing them to dry out and overheat or become physiologically stressed which can lead to bleaching or death.

Is coral an animal or a plant?

A coral is an animal because they do not make its own food as a plant does. Corals have small tentacle-like arms that they use to capture their food from the water. Corals go through a unique process called symbiosis which benefits both animals and plant life.

* Under Development *

3.1”-7.1” | 8-18 cm
3.9”-13.8” | 10-35 cm (Diameter)
3.9”-13.8” | 10-35 cm (Diameter)
Bath Sponge
18.000
35.000
35.000
900
GUIDE
3D
Bath Sponge
2.75”-3.74” | 2.5-9.5 cm (Diameter)
1.97”-5.91” | 5-15 cm
.002-.1 lb | 1-45 g
2.5-3.5 years
Bearded Fireworm
9.500
15.000
0.045
3.50
1600
GUIDE
3D
Bearded Fireworm
1.4”-2” | 3.5-5 cm
9.1”-13.8” | 23-35 cm
3-6 years
Big-Belly Seahorse
5.000
35.000
6.00
1250
GUIDE
3D
Big-Belly Seahorse
9.8”-15” | 25-38 cm
.35-3.1 lb | .16-1.4 kg
.5-1 year
Bigfin Reef Squid
38.000
1.400
1.00
1600
GUIDE
3D
Bigfin Reef Squid
27.6”-35.4” | 70-90 cm
31.5”-39.4” | 80-100 cm (Diameter)
31.5”-39.4” | 80-100 cm (Diameter)
Blue Coral
90.000
100.000
100.000
17400
GUIDE
3D
Blue Coral
11.8”-19.7” | 30-50 cm
23.6”-39.4” | 60-100 cm (Diameter)
23.6”-39.4” | 60-100 cm (Diameter)
Boring Sponge
50.000
100.000
100.000
360
GUIDE
3D
Boring Sponge
9.8”-19.7” | 25-50 cm
11.8”-23.6” | 30-60 cm (Diameter)
11.8”-23.6” | 30-60 cm (Diameter)
Bubble Coral
50.000
60.000
60.000
5300
GUIDE
3D
Bubble Coral
18”-23” | 46-58 cm (Arm)
4.4-8.8 lb | 2-4 kg
1-2 years
California Two-Spot Octopus
58.000
4.000
2.00
1500
GUIDE
3D
California Two-Spot Octopus
19.7”-23.6” | 50-60 cm (Arm)
2.2-3.3 lb | 1-1.5 kg
10-12 months
Caribbean Reef Octopus
60.000
1.500
1.00
1060
GUIDE
3D
Caribbean Reef Octopus
4.7”-7.9” | 12-20 cm
1-3 years
Caribbean Reef Squid
20.000
3.00
1590
GUIDE
3D
Caribbean Reef Squid
2.75”-3.5” | 7-9 cm (Arm)
.5-1.5 lb | .23-.69 kg
3-5 years
Coconut Octopus
9.000
0.690
5.00
4450
GUIDE
3D
Coconut Octopus
6’-6.6’ | 1.83-2 m
~2.2 lb | 1 kg
3-5 years
Common Blanket Octopus
200.000
1.000
5.00
630
GUIDE
3D
Common Blanket Octopus
3.5”-12.6” | 9-32 cm
10”-36” | 25.4-91.4 cm
11-22 lb | 5-10 kg
8-11 years
Common Hogfish
32.000
91.400
10.000
11.00
45080
GUIDE
3D
Common Hogfish
29.9”-39.4” | 76-100 cm (Arm)
6.6-22 lb | 3-10 kg
1-2 years
Common Octopus
100.000
10.000
2.00
22300
GUIDE
3D
Common Octopus
.4”-1” | 1-2.5 cm
2.75”-6.7” | 7-17 cm;
1-4 years
Common Seahorse
2.500
17.000
4.00
240800
GUIDE
3D
Common Seahorse
5.1”-5.9” | 13-15 cm
7”-8” | 18-20 cm
4-10 years
Copperband Butterflyfish
15.000
20.000
10.00
3700
GUIDE
3D
Copperband Butterflyfish
.1”-.2” | .3-.6 cm
1”-2” | 2.5-5.1 cm
1-2 years
Dwarf Seahorse
0.600
5.100
2.00
3900
GUIDE
3D
Dwarf Seahorse
11.8”-19.7” | 30-50 cm (Arm)
.22-.88 lb | .1-.4 kg
1-2 years
East Pacific Red Octopus
50.000
0.400
2.00
660
GUIDE
3D
East Pacific Red Octopus
4’-8’ | 1.22-2.43 m
11.5’-13’ | 3.5-3.96 m (Diameter)
11.5’-13’ | 3.5-3.96 m (Diameter)
Elkhorn Coral
243.000
396.000
396.000
1450
GUIDE
3D
Elkhorn Coral
3.1”-4.7” | 8-12 cm
60”-84” | 1.52-2.13 m
6.6-55 lb | 3-25 kg
15-20 years
European Conger
12.000
213.000
25.000
20.00
1150
GUIDE
3D
European Conger
2.4”-3.1” | 6-8 cm
31”-37” | 79-94 cm
2.2-4.4 lb | 1-2 kg
10-30 years
Fimbriated Moray
8.000
94.000
2.000
30.00
140
GUIDE
3D
Fimbriated Moray
5.1”-6.3” | 13-16 cm
5.9”-7.9” | 15-20 cm (Diameter)
5.9”-7.9” | 15-20 cm (Diameter)
Finger Coral
16.000
20.000
20.000
1340
GUIDE
3D
Finger Coral
3.9”-5.1” | 10-13 cm
.66-.88 lb | .3-.4 kg
1.5-2 years
Flamboyant Cuttlefish
13.000
0.400
2.00
5800
GUIDE
3D
Flamboyant Cuttlefish
14.2”-17.3” | 36-44 cm
27.5”-33” | 70-84 cm (Carapace)
31”-37” | 79-94 cm (Carapace)
154-198 lb | 70-90 kg
40-60 years (wild); 50-100 years (captivity)
Flatback Sea Turtle
44.000
84.000
94.000
90.000
100.00
2150
GUIDE
3D
Flatback Sea Turtle
3.3’-8’ | 1-2.44 m
4.9’-6.6’ | 1.5-2 m (Diameter)
4.9’-6.6’ | 1.5-2 m (Diameter)
Giant Barrel Sponge
244.000
200.000
200.000
200
GUIDE
3D
Giant Barrel Sponge
33.3”-40.6” | 77-103 cm
6.75’-8.83’ | 2.06-2.69 m
275-507 lb | 125-230 kg
16-20 years
Giant Guitarfish
103.000
269.000
230.000
20.00
780
GUIDE
3D
Giant Guitarfish
5.9”-8.7” | 15-22 cm
5.92’-9.83’ | 1.8-3 m
66-79 lb | 30-36 kg
10-30 years
Giant Moray
22.000
300.000
36.000
30.00
1900
GUIDE
3D
Giant Moray
7’-13’ | 2.13-3.96 m (Arm)
22-110 lb | 10-50 kg
3-5 years
Giant Pacific Octopus
396.000
50.000
5.00
35000
GUIDE
3D
Giant Pacific Octopus
10”-20” | 25.4-50.8 cm
33”-67” | 85-170 cm
33-132 lb | 15-60 kg
10-25 years
Giant Trevally
50.800
170.000
60.000
25.00
4700
GUIDE
3D
Giant Trevally
7.9”-11.8” | 20-30 cm
11.8”-39.4” | 30-100 cm (Cluster)
11.8”-39.4” | 30-100 cm (Cluster)
Golden Sponge
30.000
100.000
100.000
150
GUIDE
3D
Golden Sponge
4.7”-5.9” | 12-15 cm
.02-.22 lb | .01-.1 kg
2-3 years
Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus
15.000
0.100
3.00
650
GUIDE
3D
Greater Blue-Ringed Octopus
14.2”-18.9” | 36-48 cm
27.5”-36.2” | 70-92 cm (Carapace)
36”-48” | 91-122 cm (Carapace)
243-419 lb | 110-190 kg
60-75 years (wild); 80-120 years (captivity)
Green Sea Turtle
48.000
92.000
122.000
190.000
120.00
46700
GUIDE
3D
Green Sea Turtle
3.3”-3.9” | 8.5-10 cm
8.3”-9.8” | 21-25 cm
.9-1.2 oz | .02-.03 kg
15-20 years
Hairy Frogfish
10.000
25.000
0.030
20.00
5250
GUIDE
3D
Hairy Frogfish
9.4”-15” | 24-38 cm
17.7”-27.2” | 45-69 cm (Carapace)
24”-36” | 61-91 cm (Carapace)
99-198 lb | 45-90 kg
30-45 years (wild); 30-60 years (captivity)
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
38.000
69.000
91.000
90.000
60.00
15400
GUIDE
3D
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
7.5’-11’ | 2.3-3.4 m
190-400 lb | 86-181 kg
25-35 years
Lemon Shark
340.000
181.000
35.00
27000
GUIDE
3D
Lemon Shark
1.57”-8.27” | 4-21 cm
1.57”-8.27” | 4-21 cm
2.5”-16” | 6.4-40.6 cm
1.54-1.98 lb | .7-.9 kg
10-15 years
Lightning Whelk
21.000
21.000
40.600
0.900
15.00
1400
GUIDE
3D
Lightning Whelk
1”-1.4” | 2.5-3.5 cm
5”-7.5” | 13-19 cm
1-4 years
Lined Seahorse
3.500
19.000
4.00
1800
GUIDE
3D
Lined Seahorse
.6”-1.4” | 1.5-3.5 cm
1.5”-4” | 4-10 cm
.4-.7 lb | .2-.3 kg
3-6 years
Ocellaris Clownfish
3.500
10.000
0.300
6.00
10700
GUIDE
3D
Ocellaris Clownfish
7.9”-11.8” | 20-30 cm
11.8”-19.7” | 30-50 cm (Diameter)
11.8”-19.7” | 30-50 cm (Diameter)
Organ Pipe Coral
30.000
50.000
50.000
2400
GUIDE
3D
Organ Pipe Coral
5.5”-8.7” | 14-22 cm
11.8”-17.7” | 30-45 cm
2.5-3.5 lb | 1.1-1.6 kg
15-20 years
Queen Angelfish
22.000
45.000
1.600
20.00
7650
GUIDE
3D
Queen Angelfish
3.1”-4.3” | 8-11 cm
11-15” | 28-38 cm
1-2.6 lb | .5-1.2 kg
10-18 years
Red Lionfish
11.000
38.000
1.200
18.00
10100
GUIDE
3D
Red Lionfish
3.7”-4.9” | 9.5-12.5 cm
9.8”-11.8” | 25-30 cm
5-10 years
Reef Triggerfish
12.500
30.000
10.00
5750
GUIDE
3D
Reef Triggerfish
31.1”-46.5” | 79-118 cm
6’-8.83’ | 1.83-2.69 m
187-298 lb | 85-135 kg
10-25 years
Shark Ray
118.000
269.000
135.000
25.00
3350
GUIDE
3D
Shark Ray
2”-3.1” | 5-8 cm
24”-36” | 61-91 cm
15-30 years
Snowflake Moray
8.000
91.000
30.00
1150
GUIDE
3D
Snowflake Moray
.3”-.4” | .75-1 cm
4”-4.5” | 10.2-11.4 cm
10-30 years
Snyder’s Moray
1.000
11.400
30.00
15
GUIDE
3D
Snyder’s Moray
24”-60” | 61-152 cm
20.5”-52.2” | 52-130 cm (Disc)
160-215 lb | 73-98 kg
12-17 years
Southern Stingray
152.000
130.000
98.000
17.00
2920
GUIDE
3D
Southern Stingray
9’-10’ | 2.74-3.05 m
5.33’-6’ | 1.62-1.84 m
397-507 lb | 180-230 kg
15-20 years
Spotted Eagle Ray
305.000
184.000
230.000
20.00
11500
GUIDE
3D
Spotted Eagle Ray
3’-5’ | .91-1.52 m
3.3’- 9.8’ | 1-3 m (Diameter)
3.3’- 9.8’ | 1-3 m (Diameter)
Staghorn Coral
152.000
300.000
300.000
2500
GUIDE
3D
Staghorn Coral
.8”-1” | 2-2.5 cm
~.002 lb | .001 kg
.5-1.5 years
Star-Sucker Pygmy Octopus
2.500
0.001
1.50
1120
GUIDE
3D
Star-Sucker Pygmy Octopus
.6”-2.6” | 1.5-6.5 cm
3.9”-12.2” | 10-31 cm
5-8 years
Yellow Goatfish
6.500
31.000
8.00
430
GUIDE
3D
Yellow Goatfish
19.7”-47.2” | 50-120 cm
11.8”-39.4” | 30-100 cm (Cluster)
11.8”-39.4” | 30-100 cm (Cluster)
Yellow Tube Sponge
120.000
100.000
100.000
1150
GUIDE
3D
Yellow Tube Sponge
1.2”-3.5” | 3-9 cm
20”-59” | 51-150 cm
10-20 years
Zebra Moray
9.000
150.000
20.00
1100
GUIDE
3D
Zebra Moray
6.5’-11.5’ | 2-3.5 m
45-65 lb | 20-30 kg
20-30 years
Zebra Shark
350.000
30.000
30.00
7100
GUIDE
3D
Zebra Shark
Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Giant Pacific Octopus to other cephalopods

The Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) is the largest octopus species and lives longer than any other octopus. They are highly intelligent as they are known to use tools and also recognize faces. The Giant Pacific Octopus has a large head, is red-brown in color, and like most other octopuses is able to change colors and textures. The Giant Pacific Octopus can be found along the coast of the North Pacific and are highly adapted to cold waters. They hunt at night and generally eat shrimp, clams, lobsters, and fish. Some also attack both sharks and fish with their hard beaks.

The Giant Pacific Octopus has an arm length between 7’-13’ (2.13-3.96 m), mantle length of 19.7”-23.6” (50-60 cm), and weight of 22-110 lb (10-50 kg). The typical lifespan of the Giant Pacific Octopus is between 3-5 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Giant Pacific Octopus in various poses
The Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) is the largest octopus species and lives longer than any other octopus. They are highly intelligent as they are known to use tools and also recognize faces. The Giant Pacific Octopus has a large head and is red-brown in color.

The Giant Pacific Octopus has an arm length between 7’-13’ (2.13-3.96 m), mantle length of 19.7”-23.6” (50-60 cm), and weight of 22-110 lb (10-50 kg). The typical lifespan of the Giant Pacific Octopus is between 3-5 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Giant Pacific Octopus in various poses
Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini)
Height:
Width:
Length:
7’-13’ | 2.13-3.96 m (Arm)
Depth:
Weight:
22-110 lb | 10-50 kg
Area:

Mantle Length: 19.7”-23.6” | 50-60 cm

Scientific Name
Enteroctopus dofleini
Lifespan
3-5 years

Drawings include:

Giant Pacific Octopus side elevation, front

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Bubble Coral (Plerogyra sinuosa)
Scale illustration of an average Bubble Coral compared to other coral species and a person

In the Red Sea and even the Indo-Pacific oceanic environment, the Bubble Coral (Plerogyra sinuosa) is often seen bubbling or showing a variety of bubble sizes. During the day, the bubbles are large but small at night, leaving the coral to display long sweeping tentacles that can bite. The bubbles are translucent or have pale strips when inflated and less translucent when retracted. Other communities call it bladder coral, grape coral, pearl coral, and octobubble coral. The Bubble coral prefers moderately lit areas and can be tan, pale green, or pink.

The Bubble Coral has an overall colony diameter between 11.8”-23.6” (30-60 cm) and height of 9.8”-19.7” (25-50 cm). The diameters of the individual branches are roughly 1”-1.6” (2.5-4 cm) with individual heights between 1.6”-2.75” (4-7 cm).

Series of illustrations of the Bubble Coral from multiple views
In the Red Sea and even the Indo-Pacific oceanic environment, the Bubble Coral (Plerogyra sinuosa) is often seen bubbling or showing a variety of bubble sizes. During the day, the bubbles are large but small at night, leaving the coral to display long sweeping tentacles that can bite.

The Bubble Coral has an overall colony diameter between 11.8”-23.6” (30-60 cm) and height of 9.8”-19.7” (25-50 cm). The diameters of the individual branches are roughly 1”-1.6” (2.5-4 cm) with individual heights between 1.6”-2.75” (4-7 cm).

Series of illustrations of the Bubble Coral from multiple views
Bubble Coral (Plerogyra sinuosa)
Height:
9.8”-19.7” | 25-50 cm
Width:
11.8”-23.6” | 30-60 cm (Diameter)
Length:
Depth:
11.8”-23.6” | 30-60 cm (Diameter)
Weight:
Area:

Individual Height: 1.6”-2.75” | 4-7 cm

Individual Diameter: 1”-1.6” | 2.5-4 cm

Scientific Name
Plerogyra sinuosa
Lifespan

Drawings include:

Bubble Coral top view, side (assorted)

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Bath Sponge (Spongia officinalis)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Bath Sponge to other sponge species

On the shallow rocky and sandy surface of the Mediterranean sea is where the ancient Greeks picked the Bath Sponge (Spongia officinalis) either for medicinal purposes or cleaning. It was thought to cure digestive issues and was even used as an absorbent material in surgeries. This commercial sea sponge can be light gray or black and is usually seen in large lobes with small openings. You can also identify it by its elevated and cone-shaped void. It has no spicules and the upper side has several oscules. Individual bath sponges can be male or female or sequential hermaphrodites.

The Bath Sponge has an overall diameter between 3.9”-13.8” (10-35 cm) and height of 3.1”-7.1” (8-18 cm).

Scaled collection of drawings of Bath Sponge in various views
On the shallow rocky and sandy surface of the Mediterranean sea is where the ancient Greeks picked the Bath Sponge (Spongia officinalis) either for medicinal purposes or cleaning. It was thought to cure digestive issues and was even used as an absorbent material in surgeries.

The Bath Sponge has an overall diameter between 3.9”-13.8” (10-35 cm) and height of 3.1”-7.1” (8-18 cm).

Scaled collection of drawings of Bath Sponge in various views
Bath Sponge (Spongia officinalis)
Height:
3.1”-7.1” | 8-18 cm
Width:
3.9”-13.8” | 10-35 cm (Diameter)
Length:
Depth:
3.9”-13.8” | 10-35 cm (Diameter)
Weight:
Area:
Scientific Name
Spongia officinalis
Lifespan

Drawings include:

Bath Sponge top view, side (assorted)

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Elkhorn Coral (Acropora palmata)
Dimensioned comparison drawing of the Elkhorn Coral compared to other corals and a person

The Elkhorn Coral (Acropora palmata) is a fast-growing coral easily identified by its complex branching structure composed of colonies of dense stands forming interlocking thickets. This structure makes it resemble elk antlers. It is mostly found in the Caribbean and Bahamas very close to the shoreline. As a result, it is under immense damage from human pollution and coral bleaching. The Elkhorn coral has a large body, and branches are sturdy and thick, which can be yellow to yellow-brown with white tips. This coral can reproduce sexually or asexually. It is considered a hard coral.

The Elkhorn Coral has an overall colony diameter between 11.5’-13’ (3.5-3.96 m) and typical height of 4’-8’ (1.22-2.43 m).

Set of scaled top and side view drawings of the Elkhorn Coral with dimensions
The Elkhorn Coral (Acropora palmata) is a fast-growing coral easily identified by its complex branching structure composed of colonies of dense stands forming interlocking thickets. This structure makes it resemble elk antlers. It is mostly found in the Caribbean and Bahamas very close to the shore.

The Elkhorn Coral has an overall colony diameter between 11.5’-13’ (3.5-3.96 m) and typical height of 4’-8’ (1.22-2.43 m).

Set of scaled top and side view drawings of the Elkhorn Coral with dimensions
Elkhorn Coral (Acropora palmata)
Height:
4’-8’ | 1.22-2.43 m
Width:
11.5’-13’ | 3.5-3.96 m (Diameter)
Length:
Depth:
11.5’-13’ | 3.5-3.96 m (Diameter)
Weight:
Area:
Scientific Name
Acropora palmata
Lifespan

Drawings include:

Elkhorn Coral top view, side (assorted)

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads

Lightning Whelk (Sinistrofulgur perversum)
Scale illustration of an average Lightning Whelk with compared to other gastropods

The Lightning Whelk (Sinistrofulgur perversum) is an edible marine gastropod mollusk. They are found in the sandy substrate of shallow embayments of the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and southeastern North America, from New Jersey south to Florida. As a large predatory sea snail, it mostly eats bivalves by using its proboscis to ingest the soft parts. They are active during the daytime, and when feeding on mudflats, they prefer to stay in deeper waters. Native Americans have used Lightning Whelks for food, and used their shells for tools, ornaments, and to make jewelry. The species is the state shell of Texas.

Lightning Whelks have a length between 2.5”-16” (6.4-40.6 cm), width from 1.57”-8.27” (4-21 cm), height of 1.57”-8.27” (4-21 cm), and weight in the range of 1.54-1.98 lb (.7-.9 kg). The typical lifespan of the Lightning Whelk is 10-15 years.

Pair of elevation illustrations of the Lightning Whelk seen from the side, front, and top
The Lightning Whelk (Sinistrofulgur perversum) is an edible marine gastropod mollusk. They are found in the sandy substrate of shallow embayments of the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and southeastern North America, from New Jersey south to Florida.

Lightning Whelks have a length between 2.5”-16” (6.4-40.6 cm), width from 1.57”-8.27” (4-21 cm), height of 1.57”-8.27” (4-21 cm), and weight in the range of 1.54-1.98 lb (.7-.9 kg). The typical lifespan of the Lightning Whelk is 10-15 years.

Pair of elevation illustrations of the Lightning Whelk seen from the side, front, and top
Lightning Whelk (Sinistrofulgur perversum)
Height:
1.57”-8.27” | 4-21 cm
Width:
1.57”-8.27” | 4-21 cm
Length:
2.5”-16” | 6.4-40.6 cm
Depth:
Weight:
1.54-1.98 lb | .7-.9 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Sinistrofulgur perversum
Lifespan
10-15 years

Drawings include:

Lightning Whelk side elevation, front, top

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads