Healthy Corals, Healthy Reefs
See an exhibit that slowly changes over time. Healthy Corals, Healthy Reefs is a 5,000-gallon live coral exhibit showcasing a variety of vibrant coral and fish species native to the Indo-Pacific region. Return again and again to see this habitat evolve as the coral grows.
Know Before You Go
Did you know that corals are animals? Coral reefs are made up of colonies of individual coral polyps, which are tiny animals closely related to other invertebrates like jellyfish and sea anemones.
- This exhibit features a 15-foot window set low enough for children and visitors using wheelchairs to have an unobstructed view. Three smaller tanks offer a zoomed-in look at rotating elements of the coral reef ecosystem.
- Healthy Corals, Healthy Reefs is one of three areas where you can see living coral in the Aquarium! The others are the Yawkey Coral Reef Center and the Lagoon exhibit.
- Aquarium educators are often present to provide in-depth information about coral reef ecosystems, their importance, and conservation efforts. Feel free to ask them if you have any questions.
Animals in This Exhibit
See some of the thousands of species that rely on healthy coral reefs.
Creating the Exhibit
A lot goes into creating an exhibit at the Aquarium. For this exhibit, in addition to caring for the animals, our team designed and fabricated the rocky habitat that the corals are attached to. Aquarists decided where to place each coral species on the structure based on their varying preferences for factors like intensity of water flow and light.
Coral Polyp Anatomy
Coral polyps, the small animals that make up massive coral reefs, have mouths surrounded by tiny tentacles that they use to pull in food. The food goes from the polyp’s mouth to the stomach, which takes up most of the polyp. Since the mouth is their only available opening, polyps also expel waste through their mouth!
Coral’s Essential Ecosystem Role
Coral polyps are not just animals unto themselves; the coral reefs they make up are also a home to thousands of ocean species. Though coral reefs cover less than one percent of the ocean floor, they support about a quarter of all marine life, and millions of humans around the world depend on them for food and jobs!
Take a Look Around
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Healthy Corals, Healthy Reefs live coral exhibit Photo: Vanessa Kahn -
Anemonefish in the Healthy Corals, Healthy Reefs exhibit Photo: Vanessa Kahn -
Healthy Corals, Healthy Reefs live coral exhibit Photo: Vanessa Kahn
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As a member of the New England Aquarium, you have access to nearly 10,000 marine animals, 70 awe-inspiring exhibits, and exclusive events all year. But that is just the beginning.
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