Glowing Coral and Other Marine Invertebrae from Georgia Aquarium

Coral are marine invertebrates that typically form compact colonies. Learn more about how Georgia Aquarium cares for its coral, and see some of the beautiful coral species that call the aquarium home.

August 30, 2022

By: Discovery and Georgia Aquarium

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Can you guess what species this is? Hint: It lives in Georgia Aquarium’s Tropical Diver gallery.

If you guessed coral, you are right!

Georgia Aquarium is home to a variety of coral, in many different shapes and colors. The two main categories of coral are hard and soft.

Propagation- Aquarists at the Aquarium cultivate and transplant coral from a behind-the-scenes aquaculture pool to the reef wall in their Tropical Diver gallery.

These fluorescent corals give off a unique colored light. Coral fluorescence is determined by the expression of green fluorescent-like proteins. On reefs, these corals absorb light from the sun.

Aquarists have also been working to cultivate a unique form of bioluminescent organisms called bioluminescent dinoflagellates.

Bioluminescent dinoflagellates are a type of plankton—tiny marine organisms that can sometimes cause the surface of the ocean to sparkle at night.

Corals aren’t the only organisms that glow at Georgia Aquarium, this anemone also emits a glow!

Preserving our ocean’s coral for the next generation is what inspires and motivates Georgia Aquarium’s work every day.