Did you know that some corals bioluminesce? Neither did we. This video was made by a deepsea submersible off the coast of Florida and believe it or not, this video was made in complete darkness. The light which is visible on the surface of the coral is the result of the manipulator arm of the deep sea sub stroking the coral and triggering the biological light reactions. The mechanisms of bioluminescence in corals are undocumented but if it is anything like many other animals which bioluminesce in the sea and on the land, it’s likely the result of a symbiotic relationship with bacteria which cause the glow.
Bioluminescing coral filmed in the deep sea
Jake Adams
Jake Adams has been an avid marine aquarist since the mid 90s and has worked in the retail side of the marine aquarium trade for more than ten years. He has a bachelor’s degree in Marine Science and has been the managing editor of ReefBuilders.com since 2008. Jake is interested in every facet of the marine aquarium hobby from the concepts to the technology, rare fish to exotic corals, and his interests are well documented through a very prolific career of speaking to reef clubs and marine aquarium events, and writing articles for aquarium publications across the globe. His primary interest is in corals which Jake pursues in the aquarium hobby as well as diving the coral reefs of the world.
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