Live Lophelia colonies are bright white to slightly pink in color, which distinguishes them from the underlying darker dead coral matrix. The dead coral is a natural part of the deep reef ecosystem, and provides valuable habitat for many associated invertebrates and fishes.
Lophelia Colony
Image courtesy of Brooke et al. 2005, NOAA-OER Florida Deep Corals. Download larger version (jpg, 3.1 MB).

Live Lophelia colonies are bright white to slightly pink in color, which distinguishes them from the underlying darker dead coral matrix. The dead coral is a natural part of the deep reef ecosystem and provides valuable habitat for many associated invertebrates and fishes.

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