Coral Farm at the Waikiki Aquarium

Corals may resemble plants but, in fact, they are animals. Most corals are colonial, composed of thousands of small polyps that produce a calcium carbonate skeleton. Notice the brown coloration of these corals. This color is due to microscopic algae, called zooxanthellae, that live within the coral tissue. In the presence of sunlight these algae perform photosynthesis and produce energy-rich molecules that benefit the coral polyps. 

The Waikiki Aquarium has pioneered efforts to cultivate corals in aquariums. Corals require clean, low-nutrient water, warm temperatures and bright sunlight, which are provided in  this outdoor environment. In addition, strong water motion is necessary. Look at the diagram on the  left and you will see our surge-tower tank. When this tank is full, it automatically empties into the coral tank creating a strong, turbulent flow of water around the corals.

By carefully removing branches from large coral colonies and replanting them on the trays that  you see, we can repeatedly create new coral colonies which may grow 7" (18 cm)  per year. We have shipped more than a thousand corals grown in this facility to public aquariums  and researchers around the world. You may even see some of these corals in your hometown aquarium  in San Diego, Long Beach, Boston, Baltimore, New York, Orlando and other cities.