Closeup of chromis fish swimming over bleached Acropora finger coral

Ocean Reefs Loosing Color.

In this close-up video shot, a group of chromis fish can be seen swimming around bleached Acropora finger coral, a species known for its branching, finger-like formations. The coral, strikingly white due to bleaching, spreads across a rugged coral bed, with each branch covered in fine, textured polyps that are now devoid of color. The contrast between the bright white coral and the darker, algae-coated rocks beneath it highlights the coral’s skeletal appearance, showcasing the effects of environmental stress. The small half-and-half chromis fish, with their sleek, black and white bodies, dart between the coral branches and weave through the reef’s nooks, bringing slight movement and activity to the footage.

Close-up View of Finger Coral Starting to Bleach on A 4K Clip.

This close-up footage of chromis fish around bleached finger coral was captured in ultra-high-definition 4K (2160p) and made available in HD (1080p) resolutions by professional videographers, this free stock footage offers rich detail and vibrant clarity, available in both landscape (16:9 aspect ratio) and vertical (9:16 aspect ratio) formats. Its versatility makes it perfect for use on platforms like Instagram Reels, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts, and in widescreen documentaries, environmental campaigns, NGO projects, and educational content focused on coral conservation and climate impact.

Acropora finger corals are particularly susceptible to bleaching, these corals rely on their symbiotic algae, zooxanthellae, for nutrients, making them sensitive to environmental stressors. Studies show they often bleach more quickly and severely than other coral types due to their thin tissues and rapid growth. As a result, they act as early indicators of reef stress. While some robust corals can withstand mild temperature increases, Acropora corals can bleach within days if water temperatures rise just 1–2°C above normal. Although they can recover if conditions improve swiftly, their vulnerability puts them at high risk of mortality, which can lead to habitat loss for the reef fish and other marine species that depend on them.