SOFT CORALS AND HARD CORALS

Sea Fans and other Gorgonians abound in certain areas with plenty of clean water, current and perhaps a little constant swell. Their best habitat is one with constant motion over the soft corals, so they can feed better.

Below: A Brain coral in back of an Elkhorn which is next to some soft Gorgonian coral and scattered about are smalll beginnings of Staghorn coral.

A company called 'Coco Photo Tours', started by a professional photographer ( Clay Humphrey ) and an experienced location scout and tour guide ( Elena ) , includes a photo trip to these reefs on their tour . Golden Heron Ecotours will take you snorkeling there on a private boat charter.

Coco Photo Tours in Puerto Rico.

Below: A nice piece of Staghorn coral, although nothing like the size of the Elkhorns reefs that existed before the last two hurricanes. Those old, huge pieces of coral liepiled up and broken but make excellent habitat for the reef fish. Both the Staghorn and Elkhorn are officilally listed as 'threatened' species, they are certainly close to becoming 'endangered' in the Caribbean.