Coral Reef Animals   Coral reefs provide habitats for a large variety of plants and animals. These plants and animals rely on corals as a source of food and shelter. Sponges are found inhabiting holes in the reef. They remove small chips from the coral.  These sponges, such as Cliona, cause deterioration in corals.   Sponges inhabit corals for the purpose of protection from predators. Sea worms depend on corals for food. They feed on corals such as Porites and Agaricia. Shrimps and crabs depend on corals for shelter. Xantid crabs form hole in some types of coral.  Fish also depend on corals for protection against predators. One such is the parrot fish.  Sea stars are coral predators. This crown-of-thorns starfish relies on corals for food.   There are many other species of fungi, sponges, sea worms, crustaceans and mollusks that bore into coral skeletons.  Other organisms that inhabit the coral reefs include sea urchins, jellyfish, oysters, clams, turtles, and sea anemones.   HOME