Does the color of the coral serve a purpose?

[Acolin]

Does it attract food? Does it dissuade predators? Why is some bright red and others bright green? Why do some corals fluoresce?

What is the biological purpose of various coral colors?

 

[narms72]

Well I know that the color comes from the algea they host within their tissue and this is why they turn white when the release the algea. So the real question maybe why the algea is different colors but there is also non photosynthetic corals that still have color. So I don't know. I'm not an expert with coral. It is interesting though. Maybe someone with more knowledge on it will chime in.

 

[Webmanny]

Good question. You may enjoy this link from National Geographic. In theory, "the researchers believe that the pigments help make more light for their symbiotic algae, which need it for photosynthesis. Happy algae translates to more oxygen and other benefits for the coral."

From this report.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/06/150629-glowing-fluorescent-corals-science/

 

[narms72]

Cool. Webmanny was just the man I had in mind for this question, well either him or Roger.

 

[Webmanny]

Oh you are too kind sir. I'm just lucky enough to have a good memory and finding stuff online.