Which marine animals live on Indian Ocean coral reefs?

Coral reefs in the Indian Ocean support a diverse array of marine life. These complex ecosystems are built by reef-building coral polyps, which create the calcareous structures that serve as a habitat for many other organisms.12

The marine fauna found on these reefs includes:

• Invertebrates: Sponges, worms, crabs, mollusks, sea urchins, brittle stars, and starfish.2
• Fish: A variety of small, brightly colored reef fish inhabit these structures.2
• Other life: Calcareous red algae often grow alongside corals to help build the reef structures.2

These reefs are essential components of the Indian Ocean's tropical marine environment, providing shelter and nursery grounds for a wide range of species.2