Outlook Online 2009

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority :: Recognising Coral Bleaching

Recognising Coral Bleaching

The normal colour of corals can range from brown and green to yellow, blue and even pink. Bleached corals appear extremely pale or bone white because they have lost all or most of their symbiotic algae, which gives them most of their colour. Although totally bleached corals appear similar to corals that have been eaten by crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS), they are still alive. On close inspection of bleached corals, it is possible to see the nearly transparent tissue and tentacles covering the skeleton. While it is sometimes difficult to distinguish the effects of crown-of-thorns starfish from low levels of coral bleaching, mass coral bleaching events are easily recognised, as large areas of reef will be dominated by bright white corals.

For more information on identifying corals and recognising coral bleaching download the Coral identification sheets [ Adobe Acrobat Format 1067 kb ]

Healthy Coral
 Bleached Acropora
 Coral with crown-of-thorns scar
Healthy Coral
Bleached Acropora
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