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Lophelia Coral

Did you know that not all corals live in tropical, coastal waters and are brightly colored? Lophelia coral lives deep in the ocean — and is naturally very pale. Despite this, it’s still a crucial part of the underwater world.

 

These white corals live across many geographic ranges, off the Atlantic coast of the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, and western Caribbean. These creatures may also be found off the coasts of Brazil and West Africa, and in the Mediterranea Sea, Pacific, Indian, and Southern Oceans. The largest reef of Lophelia coral is located near Norway.  

These cold-water dwellers live so deep in the ocean that no sunlight reaches them. As a result, they rely on filtering food from the surrounding water to feed and are often found in areas with fast currents.  

Like most corals, Lophelia coral is made up of individual animals called polyps. Lophelia polyps are usually a pale, translucent yellow, pink, or white, and have up to 16 tentacles surrounding the animal’s mouth. Individual polyps are connected by bony skeletons, eventually developing into coral reefs. 

 

 

Although Lophelia coral is not currently classified as endangered, they may be at risk from dangerous activities like bottom trawling, where huge nets are dragged for miles along the seafloor, bulldozing everything in their path. Human activity from oil exploration may also destroy Lophelia corals and their habitat. 

 

 

Lophelia coral helps sustain biodiverse ecosystems, even in the deep ocean. These corals can support habitats for fish and other creatures, and their skeleton surfaces can act as an attachment point for other organisms. Learn more about how Oceana is working to protect deep-sea corals here.  

 

 

 

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