Coralline Algae

These are not pink chewing gum that grows on the rocks! This is a kind of red algae that strengthens the coral reefs' foundations. They are the cement that binds the coral reefs together. They are also a great meal for many marine organisms. The coralline algae are special with their hard thallus (plant body) because of calcareous deposits contained in the cell walls. The colors of these algae are typically pink, pinkish-grey, or different shade of red. Most of them are encrusting and rock-like, distributed widely in the ocean all over the world. Some of them can even grow on snails' shells and plastics that drift everywhere!

However, they are slow growers, in which they normally grow from 1 to 3 cm yearly. This stony-kind of seaweed harnesses energy from the sunlight through photosynthesis, so they only grow on rocks, tide pools, or seafloor where can be reached by the sunlight. As they are one of the primary producers in Pulau Kapas, they are consumed by herbivores and omnivores such as sea urchins, parrotfish, and sea snails.

The coralline algae are magnificent reef builders. They act as cement that binds the coral reefs together and fight against the rough ocean current. The growth of coralline algae is also a sign of a healthy environment with good water qualities. The coralline algae reduce undesirable algae, such as green algae, mat algae, diatoms, and hair algae because they grow on the areas where undesirable algae like to grow.

Photo credit: "Coralline algae at Halahi Reef" by Derek Keats is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0