How does a coral reef form?

Answer:
A stony coral colony begins as a single free-swimming founder coral polyp that attaches itself to a hard substrate such as submerged rocks.

The founder polyp replicates itself repeatedly through asexual reproduction, producing a colony. The colony consists of a base which is attached to the reef substrate, a growing edge zone (where new coral polyps are produced), and an upper surface that is exposed to light that filters down through the water.
First answer by ID1654387219. Last edit by Vampire Kisser. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributor recommended]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question].