Colorful fish swimming over Acropora finger corals with bleached edges

Lost Shades: Coral Bleaching in Clear Waters.

This underwater video clip highlights a dense formation of Acropora finger corals, where the once-vibrant colony now shows bleached tips. The corals exhibit a stark mix of healthy yellow-brown hues and bright white patches, above it, small, vibrant fish swim gracefully, including various species of Chromis and Damselfish. The calm blue water in the background of the shot sets a serene yet somber tone, emphasizing the coral’s condition. In the distance, other coral structures with similar bleaching patterns stretch out, including some fire corals.

Bleached Finger Corals | Acropora Coral Reefs | Scuba Diving Footage.

This vivid footage captures colorful fish swimming around Acropora finger corals with bleached edges, offering a glimpse into the delicate balance of coral reef ecosystems under environmental stress. Captured in ultra-high-definition 4K and available in HD (1080p), this video was filmed with the finest professional cameras and equipment, delivering sharp clarity and vibrant color. Provided as free stock footage to raise awareness about coral bleaching and its impacts, this footage is available in both landscape (16:9 aspect ratio) and vertical (9:16 aspect ratio) formats, making it ideal for widescreen displays as well as social media platforms like Instagram Reels, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. This high-quality, versatile footage is perfect for use in environmental campaigns, NGO initiatives, documentaries, and educational projects focused on marine science and conservation.

The pH of ocean water is a critical factor for coral health, as even slight shifts can have profound effects on coral reefs and the broader marine ecosystems they support. Coral reefs thrive in stable pH conditions where calcium carbonate—the building block of coral skeletons—can be efficiently deposited. However, due to rising CO₂ levels, oceans are absorbing more carbon dioxide, which forms carbonic acid and leads to a decrease in pH, a process known as ocean acidification. Lower pH levels reduce the availability of carbonate ions, making it harder for corals to maintain and grow their structures. The corals’ weakened skeletons become more susceptible to damage and stress, increasing their vulnerability to bleaching and disease.