CMA Reef
Our CMA Coral Reef Aquarium
Our CMA Coral Reef Aquarium
We are excited to share our Coral Reef aquarium with our patients and families. We encourage you to have fun trying to find the many fish, corals and invertebrates in our aquarium. The names and some fun facts about each organism can be found on this website.
We believe learning about nature and coral reefs will stimulate interest in learning about the natural sciences.
Enjoy!
Dr. Louis and your CMA team
HAVE FUN TRYING TO FIND FISH AND CORALS IN OUR CMA REEF
HAVE FUN TRYING TO FIND FISH AND CORALS IN OUR CMA REEF
What is a coral reef?
At first glance, you may think that coral reefs are made up of rocks, but they are actually live organisms. These organisms are tiny little animals called polyps. Polyps live on the outside of the reef. As polyps die, they become hard and new polyps grow on top of them causing the reef to grow.
Does the coral reef eat?
Since polyps need to eat to stay alive, you can think of the coral reef as eating, too. They eat small animals called plankton as well as algae. The algae get their food from the sun by using photosynthesis. This is why coral reefs form close to the surface of the water and in clear water where the sun can feed the algae.
Where are coral reefs located?
Coral reefs need warm, shallow water to form. They form close to the equator near coastlines and around islands throughout the world.
A significant portion of the world's coral reefs are located in Southeast Asia and near Australia. The largest coral reef is the Great Barrier Reef located off of Queensland, Australia. The Great Barrier Reef stretches for 2,600 miles.
At first glance, you may think that coral reefs are made up of rocks, but they are actually live organisms. These organisms are tiny little animals called polyps. Polyps live on the outside of the reef. As polyps die, they become hard and new polyps grow on top of them causing the reef to grow.
Does the coral reef eat?
Since polyps need to eat to stay alive, you can think of the coral reef as eating, too. They eat small animals called plankton as well as algae. The algae get their food from the sun by using photosynthesis. This is why coral reefs form close to the surface of the water and in clear water where the sun can feed the algae.
Where are coral reefs located?
Coral reefs need warm, shallow water to form. They form close to the equator near coastlines and around islands throughout the world.
A significant portion of the world's coral reefs are located in Southeast Asia and near Australia. The largest coral reef is the Great Barrier Reef located off of Queensland, Australia. The Great Barrier Reef stretches for 2,600 miles.