Soft Corals: The Vibrant Jewels of the Great Barrier Reef

Soft Coral

  • The Colourful Gardens of the Reef – Unlike their hard coral cousins, soft corals sway gracefully with the ocean currents, creating an underwater forest of vibrant colours and delicate structures.
  • Not Just Coral, But Animals! – Soft corals may look like underwater plants. Still, they are made up of tiny animals called polyps, which work together to form stunning coral colonies.
  • A Rainbow of Colours – Found in brilliant shades of pink, purple, yellow, orange, and red, adding bursts of colour to the Great Barrier Reef’s underwater landscapes.
  • No Hard Skeletons, Just Flexibility: Unlike hard corals, soft corals lack a rigid calcium carbonate skeleton, making them more flexible and allowing them to sway with ocean currents like underwater trees.
  • Perfect for Snorkellers and Divers – Soft corals thrive in shallow reef areas and deeper waters, meaning they can enjoy their beauty while exploring the Great Barrier Reef.
  • A Haven for Marine Life – Soft corals provide shelter and food for many reef creatures, including colourful fish, tiny invertebrates, and even the occasional sea turtle gliding by.
  • Some Glow Underwater! Certain soft corals are bioluminescent and can glow under UV light, creating an otherworldly effect for night divers exploring the reef.

Let’s embark on a colourful journey into the world of soft corals, the vibrant and flexible wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. These beautiful organisms add colour and life to the reef, swaying gracefully with the currents and providing essential habitats for many marine creatures. Ready to dive into the enchanting world of soft corals? Let’s explore!

What Are Soft Corals?

Unlike their complex coral cousins, they don’t produce a rigid calcium carbonate skeleton. Instead, they have a flexible, often tree-like structure supported by tiny, spiny skeletal elements called sclerites. This gives them a unique, delicate appearance and allows them to sway with the ocean currents.

Characteristics:

  • Flexible Bodies: Their lack of a rigid skeleton makes them more flexible and able to bend with the water flow.
  • Sclerites: These microscopic structures provide support and can give them a slightly rough texture.
  • Colours and Forms: They come in various stunning colours and shapes, from feathery sea fans to bushy tree corals.

Types 

The Great Barrier Reef is home to a dazzling variety of soft corals, each adding a unique charm to the underwater landscape. Here are a few common types you might encounter:

Sea Fans (Gorgonians)

Sea fans are the most visually striking soft corals with broad, fan-like structures. These corals create intricate patterns often seen in red, yellow, and purple hues.

Leather Corals

Leather corals have a smooth, sometimes leathery texture and can grow into large, impressive structures. They come in various shapes, from encrusting forms to large, finger-like projections.

Tree Corals

Tree corals resemble underwater trees with their branched, bushy appearance. They often sway gently in the current, creating a mesmerising underwater forest.

The Role of Soft Corals in the Reef Ecosystem

They play a crucial role in the health and diversity of the reef ecosystem. They provide habitat and protection for many marine species, contributing to the reef’s overall biodiversity.

Ecosystem Benefits:

  • Habitat: They offer shelter and breeding grounds for small fish, invertebrates, and other marine organisms.
  • Food Source: They are essential to the food web, providing nutrients for various reef inhabitants.
  • Biodiversity: They contribute to the reef’s rich biodiversity, supporting a wide range of marine life.

Marine Life  

Here’s a glimpse of some of the creatures you might encounter around these vibrant corals:

  • Crustaceans: Shrimp, crabs, and lobsters often find refuge among the branches.
  • Fish: Small fish, such as gobies and blennies, use soft corals as shelter from predators.
  • Nudibranchs: These colourful sea slugs are frequently seen grazing on or near soft corals, adding to the reef’s vibrant palette.

Best Spots to See Soft Corals on the Great Barrier Reef

It is found throughout the Great Barrier Reef, but some areas are particularly renowned for their abundance and diversity.

Ribbon Reefs

The Ribbon Reefs, located on the northern edge of the Great Barrier Reef, are famous for their clear waters and vibrant coral formations. This area is a hotspot for corals and provides stunning underwater scenery.

Cod Hole

Cod Hole, part of the Ribbon Reefs, is a must-visit for divers. It’s known not only for its friendly potato cods but also for its beautiful soft coral gardens.

Osprey Reef

Osprey Reef is another fantastic spot for soft coral enthusiasts. The reef’s dramatic drop-offs and clear waters make for spectacular diving conditions.

Conservation and Protection

Like all reef inhabitants, soft corals face threats from climate change, pollution, and human activities. Conservation efforts are vital to protecting these delicate organisms and the ecosystems they support.

Conservation Tips

  • Sustainable Tourism: Choose eco-friendly dive operators and practice responsible tourism to minimize your impact.
  • Reduce Pollution: Help reduce marine pollution by minimizing plastic use and disposing of waste properly.
  • Support Conservation Efforts: Get involved with or donate to organizations dedicated to reef conservation and restoration.

How to Appreciate Soft Corals

Whether diving or snorkelling, taking the time to appreciate the beauty and complexity of soft corals can enhance your reef experience.

Tips:

  • Move Gently: Avoid touching or disturbing them to prevent damage.
  • Observe Closely: Look closely to spot the tiny creatures that call soft corals home.
  • Photography: Make stunning subjects for underwater photography. Capture their vibrant colours and intricate patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What is the difference between soft coral and hard coral?
They may look similar but have some key differences! Hard corals build the reef structures we see today by producing a rigid calcium carbonate skeleton. On the other hand, soft corals are more flexible and lack this hard skeleton, allowing them to sway with ocean currents like underwater plants. They often grow in branching, fan-like, or tree-shaped formations, adding movement and colour to the reef.

Where can I see soft corals on the Great Barrier Reef?
Soft corals can be found in many areas of the Great Barrier Reef, from shallow lagoons to deeper reef walls. Some of the best places to see them include Agincourt Reef, Flynn Reef, and Ribbon Reefs, where they form stunning underwater gardens.

Are soft corals alive?
Yes! Even though they look like plants, soft corals are made up of tiny living animals called polyps. These polyps work together in colonies, feeding on microscopic plankton and absorbing nutrients from the water. Like hard corals, they also have a special relationship with zooxanthellae algae, which help give them their vibrant colours and provide energy through photosynthesis.

Do soft corals glow underwater?
Some do! Certain species are bioluminescent, which can glow under UV or blue light, creating an incredible, otherworldly effect. This is best seen during night dives, where special torches reveal their hidden neon-like colours. It’s an amazing experience that makes the reef feel like a glowing underwater wonderland!

How can we help protect soft corals?
Like all corals, soft corals are sensitive to climate change, pollution, and human impact. You can help protect them by choosing eco-friendly reef tours, wearing reef-safe sunscreen, avoiding touching while snorkelling or diving, and supporting reef conservation efforts. Every small action helps ensure the soft coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef remain healthy and vibrant for future generations to enjoy.

Conclusion

The vibrant jewels of the Great Barrier Reef, adding colour, movement, and life to this underwater paradise. Their beauty and ecological importance make them vital to the reef’s health and diversity. Next time you explore the Great Barrier Reef, take a moment to marvel at the graceful swaying of soft corals and the bustling life they support. It’s an experience that will leave you in awe of the delicate balance of our oceans.

Click here to learn about hard corals.

Happy diving and snorkelling!

Explore the Great Barrier Reef