What is zooxanthellae?

Zooxanthellae are tiny living helpers that live inside coral and make them colorful and strong.

Imagine you have a special friend who lives in your bedroom and helps you grow taller every day, that’s kind of what zooxanthellae do for coral. They’re like tiny green plants that sit inside the coral’s body, helping it eat and stay healthy. Just like how plants use sunlight to make food, zooxanthellae also use sunlight to make energy, which they share with the coral.

Coral gives zooxanthellae a cozy home, and in return, zooxanthellae give the coral food and color. It’s like a team, one makes the food, and the other uses it to grow and shine. When there's enough sunlight, the coral looks bright and happy.

If something goes wrong, like the water gets too hot or dirty, zooxanthellae might leave the coral. Without them, the coral loses its color and strength, just like a plant that stops growing if it doesn’t get enough sunlight. That’s why corals sometimes look pale, they’re sad because their tiny helpers are missing!