Chromis fish swimming over colorful corals starting to get bleached

Coral Bleaching in Clear Waters.

In this clip, schools of Chromis and other small reef fish swim actively above a sprawling coral reef. Some sections of the vibrant corals are showing early signs of bleaching. The reef displays a mix of colors, with patches of brown, pink, and yellow alongside newly bleached areas that are turning white. Branching and mounded corals dominate the scene, creating a dense and varied landscape. Fish dart in and out of the coral, adding life and energy to the environment. The deep blue water in the background enhances the contrast in this video shot, emphasizing the fragile state of this colorful yet stressed reef ecosystem.

Reefs Losing Color | Coral Bleaching View | Free Stock Footage.

This eye-catching footage of fish swimming over bleaching corals was filmed in high-definition 4K (2160p) and HD (1080p), this free stock footage highlights coral reefs amid stress, available in both landscape (16:9 aspect ratio) and vertical (9:16 aspect ratio) formats for flexible use across platforms, including Instagram Reels, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. Its vivid, professional quality makes this video ideal for documentaries, environmental campaigns, NGO initiatives, and educational content on coral health and marine conservation.

Corals have a limited tolerance for temperature changes. Even slight increases in water temperature can cause stress, which is worsened by pollution, ocean acidification, and solar radiation. When stressed, corals expel the symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae, which provide vital nutrients and their color through photosynthesis. This expulsion leads to bleaching, where the coral appears white and loses its primary energy source. If conditions improve, some corals can recover and allow zooxanthellae to recolonize. However, prolonged stress can result in coral death, causing habitat loss for many reef species.