69 Amazing Coral Names You Need To Know

There are many marine animals that live in relatively deep waters, away from the surface, around structures known as corals.

Different types of marine animals are found living around coral reefs and can survive at great depths but sometimes coral reefs are subjected to coral bleaching in sea water. Coral bleaching is a process where the coral reef turns white because of the absence of food.

Some of the common corals found in the Indo-Pacific are brain coral, leaf coral, plate coral, elkhorn coral, star coral, and staghorn coral. Large polyps form on the surface of soft coral reefs and cover every coral colony giving it different colors like blue, purple, or brown. Every coral reef colony can grow up to 4 ft (1.2m) high.

Read on to know more about the types of coral reefs and species that live in the depths of the sea.

Coral Reef Fish Names

Corals have their species name as the source of origin for their generic names. And they generally get their common names from the patterns on their body or feeding habits.

Coral reef fishes are one of the most colorful and varied groups of creatures in the oceans. Their vibrant colors and dramatic patterns are nearly unsurpassed in the underwater realm. Below are some famous Coral reef fishes’ names and their species names.

Black Triggerfish (Odonus niger) (Greek origin) means this name is specifically related to its teeth shape.

Clown triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum) (Latin origin) belongs to the family Balistidae. It gets its name from its clown-like look and the reaction it has when threatened.

Copper-band Butterflyfish (Chelmon rostratus) (Latin origin), meaning ‘beaked,’ its name is due to its long nose. They are a really beautiful species.

Falco Hawkfish (Cirrhitichtys Falco) (Latin origin), the meaning of the name is 'Falcon', while waiting for their prey, these fish have a habit of pecking on the rocks.

Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica) (Greek origin), meaning ‘nema, -atos = filament + The name of a Nile fish, eleotris.’

Gray Angelfish (Pomacanthus arcuatus) (Greek origin), meaning ‘ cover thorn’, also known as the angelfish.

Longnosed Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) (Greek origin), meaning ‘sharp curl'. It is the laziest. It sits still until its prey ventures to its trap.

Maroon Clownfish (Premnas biaculeatus) (Latin origin), the meaning of the name is due to its beautiful maroon color with bright stripes over his body.

Orange-green Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) (Latin origin), meaning ‘ballistare, to throw), the body of the orange-lined triggerfish is dark brown to dark green with orange lines running from behind the head to the remainder of the body.

Percula Clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) (Greek origin), meaning ‘both sides.’ They are the most beautiful among the clownfishes.

Pink Skunk Clownfish (Amphiprion perideraion) (Greek origin), the meaning of the name is due to its bright colors. They are fierce and can attack both sharks and divers.

Purple Firefish (Nemateleotris decora) (Greek origin), meaning ‘nema, -atos = filament’.

Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) (Greek origin), meaning ‘full thorn’. It is found in the western Atlantis.

Regal Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus) (Greek origin) and its name mean ‘having the color of the liver'. They have bright yellowtail.

Rock Beauty Angelfish (Holacanthus tricolor) (Greek origin), meaning ‘full thorn’. They can grow up to two feet in length.

Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto) (Greek origin), the meaning of this name is based on its signaling characteristics.

Saddleback Butterflyfish (Chaetodon ephippium) (Greek origin), meaning ‘hair teeth’. The markings on their backs resemble a saddle.

Tomato Clownfish (Amphiprion frenatus) (Greek origin), meaning ‘both sides, saw’.

Coral Flower Names

The three main coral reefs are fringing, barrier, and atoll found worldwide. Coral flowers are the ideal blend of pink and orange. Coral is a gorgeous orange shade that lends warmth and femininity to any DIY wedding or event decor. Colors of coral include salmon, peach, coral pink, and pale coral.

Anthurium (Greek origin), meaning ‘tail flower,’ a more tropical looking flower

Coral Amaryllis (Greek origin), meaning ‘sparkle.’ This flower signifies determination, beauty, and love.

Coral charm peony (Greek origin), the meaning of the name lies in the fact that Paeon (sometimes written Paean) was a disciple of Asclepius, the Greek deity of medicine and healing, and the peony bears his name.

Coral dahlias (Arabic/Hebrew origin), Carl Linnaeus, the pioneering Swedish botanist, and taxonomist, donated the name 'Dahlia' in honor of his late pupil Anders Dahl, author of Observationes Botanicae.

Coral Snapdragon (Latin origin), the name 'snapdragon', comes from the flower's reaction to having their necks compressed, which causes the flower's 'mouth' to open like a dragon's.

Iceland poppy (Latin origin), meaning ‘naked stem.’ They have restricted growth and are mostly found in mountainous sites.

Peonies ‘Coral sunset’ (Greek origin), meaning ‘flower.’

Ranunculus (Latin origin), meaning ‘little frog.’ These are rare and are different kinds of coral flowers.

Rose ‘Mosaico’ (Latin origin), meaning ‘desire,’ is loved by everyone.

Stocks (Scientific name: Antigonon leptopus), meaning ‘queens’ wreath.’

Sweet peas (Latin origin), meaning ‘fragrant,’ hold a symbolic meaning of blissful flowers.

Tulips (Turkish origin), meaning ‘turban’, is a famous name among young girls.

Coral Types Names

There are over 6,000 of coral species across the world. Many coral species are hermaphrodites, which means they contain male and female reproductive systems and may create both eggs and sperm. On the other hand, some coral species have distinct male and female polyps.

Bubble Coral (Plerogyra sinuosa) is called bubble coral due to its bubble-like appearance.

Elkhorn Coral (Acropora palmata) (Mexican origin) is commonly known as staghorn coral.

Grooved Brain Coral (Diploria labrynthiformis), their spheroid form and grooved surface, which resembles a brain, have earned them the name.

Leaf Coral (Pavona decussata) have calcified, flattened joint stems.

Lettuce Coral (Agaricia agaricites) is a colonial stony coral species belonging to the Agariciidae family.

Open Brain Coral (Trachyphyllia geoffroyi). The Trachyphyllia genus may be found in the Philippines, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, and then south to Passage Island on the west coast.

Organ Pipe Coral (Tubipora musical), the alcyonarian octocoral is found in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean's central and western areas.

Sun Corals (Tubastraea), Cnidaria is a phylum of corals that includes the genus Cnidaria. It belongs to the Dendrophylliidae family of cup corals.

Vase Coral (Montipora capricornis) are easiest to identify due to their coloration and restricted growth.

Venus Sea Fan Coral (Gorgonia flabellum), the Venus sea fan, one of the most well-known species of soft coral, forms gigantic fan-like formations that grow vertically upward from the ocean floor and deeper inside the sea.

Coral Islands Names

Corals are commonly called atolls. A ring-shaped coral reef, island, or group of islets is known as an atoll. The atoll is surrounded by a lagoon, a body of water. Below are some amazing Coral Island names; check them out!

Birnie Island is named after James Birnie, brother of London merchant Alexander Birnie.

Bitra Island: with a surface size of 0.065 sq mi (0.105 sq km), Bitra Island is the smallest inhabited island in the region.

Coetivy Island (French origin), Chevalier de Cotivy, commander of the Ile de France, was the first to see the island in 1771.

Flint Island (German origin), this island was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Ferdinand Magellan.

Jarvis Island (English origin), meaning 'spear'. It is also nicknamed bunker island.

Kadmat Island (Indian origin), Kadmat Island, also known as Cardamom Island, is a coral island in India's Lakshadweep archipelago that belongs to the Amindivi subgroup of islands.

Lakshadweep Island (Malayalam origin), meaning ‘one lakh islands’.

Pitti Island (Malayalam origin), meaning ‘bird’.

Tamana Island (Arabic origin), meaning ‘his/her father.’

Walpole Island (English origin), words 'welle' and 'pol' meaning ‘a pool surrounded by a wall’.

Coral Reef Plant Names

All photosynthetic living forms (other than bacteria) usually seen inside coral reef ecosystems have been referred to as 'coral reef plants' in the past. Here are some amazing coral reef plant names below.

Algae (Latin origin), meaning ‘seaweed’. There are different kinds of algae-based on their coloration, red and green algae.

Calcareous red seaweed (Latin origin), meaning ‘composed of calcium carbonate'.

Eelgrass (Greek origin), meaning ‘belt’, the leaves are dark green, long, slender, and ribbon-shaped.

Fuccus Serratus has a common name of bladderwrack.

Kelp (originated in Europe) described as 'the ash of seaweeds burned'.

Mangrove (English origin), meaning ‘it has roots above the ground.’

Neptune grass (Greek origin) is named after the Greek god of the sea.

Posidonia australis (Greek origin), Posidonia, the genus name for this species, is named after Poseidon, the Greek deity of the oceans, and australis alludes to its southern habitat.

Sea lettuce (Latin origin), meaning ‘lettuce.’

Seagrass (origin is from the United States) are often found at shallow depths with strong light levels.

Seaweed (Old English origin) refers to any weed-like organisms that abound in the sea.

Coral Reef Animal Names

Coral reefs are home to a diverse range of marine life. Below is a list of a few popular coral reef animal names.

Banded Pipefish is named after its long snout, which resembles a pipe.

Bartlett's Anthias (Greek origin), meaning ‘fake fish’.

Butterflyfish (English origin), The word 'butterfly' indeed comes from the word 'butter', but this is where things get a little slick.

Clown Anemonefish get their name from the bright orange color and white stripes. They like to play around leaves.

Harlequin Shrimp (English origin), found deeper in the Caribbean Ocean.

Harlequin Tuskfish gets its name from its harlequin-like coloring and four projecting teeth that resemble tusks.

Lionfish (Greek origin), meaning ‘kind of serpent’.

Mandarinfish, the name refers to extremely vibrant colors.

Moon Jellyfish, its name is because it resembles the full moon.

Yellow Tang (Latin origin), meaning ‘flavescens.’