This video shows stony and soft coral polyps feeding on zooplankton (copepods, rotifers) in high detail. Using time-lapse, the intricate feeding behaviour of coral polyps is shown, with polyps using their tentacles and microscopic cilia to move prey items into the mouth. Secretion of mucus and firing of stinging cells cause prey items to remain attached to the coral's tentacles.
Zooplankton is an important food source for corals, and supplements nutrients released by the coral's endosymbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae). Together, light and planktonic food allow corals to grow.
