This thicket of <em>Lophelia pertusa</em> corals from the Gulf of Mexico displays the calcium carbonate skeleton and the coral tentacles.

Figure 2: This thicket of Lophelia pertusa corals from the Gulf of Mexico displays the calcium carbonate skeleton and the coral tentacles. The bright white appearance of these corals is often in stark contrast to the dark surrounding ocean floor. Image courtesy of Brooke et al, NOAA-OE, HBOI.

Related Links

Florida Coast Deep Corals 2005

Florida Coast Deep Corals 2005: Microbial Colonies

NOAA Ocean Explorer Gallery