Reef producing coral are called stony corals or hard corals. The coral reef is composed of the skeletons of these stony corals and the living organisms that inhabit them, such as fish, crustaceans, and algae. Coral reefs are created through a process called calcification, where the coral polyps secrete calcium carbonate to build their skeleton and constantly grow and expand over time. Coral reefs also rely on a delicate balance of environmental factors such as sunlight, water temperature, and nutrient availability to thrive. (Site 1)
Reef-producing corals are called hermatypic corals. Coral reefs are composed of millions of tiny coral polyps, which are marine animals that belong to the phylum Cnidaria. These animals secrete calcium carbonate to build their hard skeleton, which forms the foundation of the coral reef structure. Coral reefs are created through a process called calcification, where the polyps extract dissolved calcium from the water and convert it into a solid structure. Over time, as new generations of coral polyps settle and build their skeletons on top of the existing ones, the reef continues to grow and develop. (Source: Site 1)
