Spinefield Coral
Forming the backbone of most coral reefs on Norrab are spinefield coral. These supermassive colonial organisms are miles in length, and are the largest singular species on the planet, dwarfing any other creature.
Spinefield coral release eggs and sperm constantly, causing the colony to continuously grow until it is too large to support itself. As the coral grows, polyps of other coral species begin to grow atop it. This large coral can form plateaus, tunnels, and branches, where more coral, sea anemones, and plants grow.
Spinefield coral are a dark yellow in colouration, lighter where polyps are younger. This species is the foundation for 99% of coral reefs in the Latica Ocean, under three hundred metres below sea level.
Whalefalls
Spinefield coral are opportunistic predators, feasting on fallen whales and other gigantic megafauna on the planet. As gigantic organisms, such as armoured whales pass away, they float to the surface after filling up with gases. Once these gases are released, typically after scavengers begin consuming it.
The carcass slowly floats to the bottom of the ocean, where it is further eaten. Once it reaches the ocean bed, a plethora of scavenging invertebrates, fish, and other organisms pick the carcass clean. Spinefield coral polyps land on these falls, siphoning nutrients from meat, muscle, and bone. These polyps reproduce extremely quickly, completely taking over the carcass and building up a sturdy foundation of calcium carbonate, the polyp's exoskeleton.
The life cycle you've described is so cool :D :D I want to learn more about the fishes and how they make use of the coral
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Thank you so much! <3