Coral Reef Project
Marine Biology
As the premier Coral Reef Biologist in your field, you have been asked to design a coral reef ecosystem that can
be constructed for your own aquarium. There are no limits. You have funding and space for a 100 gallon
aquarium. You want your design to be aesthetically pleasing but you also want it to represent an actual coral
reef. Put any type of coral reef organisms into your tank.
In order to provide the “best fit” for your reef and its inhabitants you should research the relevant aspects of:
 Nutritional strategies used by corals and coral reef inhabitants
 How corals compete with other species for space
 A complex food web that can support more than one predator species
 Key physical factors (temperature, water movement, etc.) required by corals
 How is energy introduced and maintained in this system
Your coral reef project must include the following:
I) A detailed color drawing of the reef – on a minimum of 11 x 14 inch paper.
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Provide specific names of the organisms living on the reef:
o Your reef must have a minimum of 5 different coral species.
o You need to have 4 different fish (vertebrates) compatible with the coral
o You will need to have 4 invertebrates besides the coral that are compatible
o You will need to include background of which reef you are mimicking
o You will need to include a food web for your tank
o You will need to include any Symbiosis (mutualism, parasitism, predation, commensalism,
competition)
o Include a numeric key of the species (on the drawing) with brief descriptions
Include the mechanical operations for your aquarium. (Filtration, water movement, gas exchange etc.)
Include feeding methods and what the tank will be fed, and how often
Be creative: Include any “special” attractions to your aquarium. A mini-submarine perhaps, décor, etc.