Sunday, October 7, 2007

Belle


I've been visiting this coral for more than fifteen years. I named "it" Belle because the shape is bell like, and it is so beautiful. It is more than three feet (1 meter) across. I am GUESSING it is an Agaricia lamarki a "Whitestar Sheet Coral" (Humann, Reef Coral Identification, pg.138). About 110 feet (30 meters)deep off Cane Bay, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. I bet it's more than one hundred years old. I am going to ask The Scientists.

Belle became snowy white during the last bleaching event, in 2005, but recovered and lived. A very lucky and strong coral! Topped by some rope sponges.

Where are the fish?

2 comments:

  1. My dream is swiming into the reef and see the corals :) Greetings from Denmark!

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  2. Hello, Nils. Life is short, don't wait too long to long to do something you really want to do!

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