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Requirements for modern reef growth

Fiji coral - 32 kb
  • shallow water (<100m): within local photic limit
  • warm water (18 to 36°C; optimum 25 to 29°C)
  • normal marine salinity (27-40 parts per thousand)
  • fairly strong sunlight
  • abundant nutrients
  • low terrigenous clastic input
  • stable substrate for attachment
Image information: a coral head on the very shallow top of the fringing reef of Viti Levu, Fiji. Pale areas are encrusted with coralline red algae. Click to enlarge.

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This page is maintained by Roger Suthren. Last updated 16 March, 2021 12:53 PM