Corals are diverse groups of invertebrate animals.

Rough Cactus Coral eat plankton which are tiny floating organisms. Rough Cactus Coral is found in the Caribbean, southern Gulf of Mexico, Florida, and the Bahamas.They do a variety of things for the habitat they live in.

Rough Cactus Coral create and support the hard substrate which is the underlying layer of coral reefs through the production of their calcium carbonate skeletons. These hard corals are like a canvas for a painting that is the reef. Without the canvas, the painting would not exist.

Rough Cactus Coral also supply habitat and shelter for the vast diversity of other species that make coral reefs beautiful systems. They can live up to hundreds of years.

Rough Cactus Coral: Federally Threatened

Rough Cactus Coral is threatened under the Endangered Species Act. This is mostly caused by rising ocean temperatures, over fishing, exposure to pollution, and physical damage that have caused certain coral species to be more susceptible to the disease. All the world’s reefs have been reduced by 50%

How You Can Help the Rough Cactus Coral

Don’t worry, there are things you can do to help, like recycling and disposing of trash properly. Trash can kill the reefs so it’s important to dispose of it properly.

Minimize the use of fertilizers and use environmentally friendly modes of transportation. And, of course, getting active, volunteering and spreading the word does a lot too! It can seem overwhelming to do it all alone but remember, you aren’t. There are a lot of people who care and are trying to make a difference.

Also, avoiding reef areas when fishing greatly helps to keep the relationship between coral and their fish alive.

So, farewell and thanks for all the fish.