This trippy time-lapse film captures the stunning yet strange movements of some of the most colorful coral, making them appear almost extraterrestrial as they glow, shimmer and pulse.
Mr. Rice spent four hours filming the marine invertebrates’ activities – a job that required capturing.
On June 2, the marketing director from Denver, Colorado, filmed the receding corals kept in captive tanks.
The video shows four corals, each of which is unique: one that appears to be a hungry mouth; another with grape-sized, veiny bubbles; a coral that may be mistaken for a fiber optic light; and others that resemble tiny trees.
Corals are not plants, as is commonly believed due to their appearance. They are sessile and sit in the same position, buried into the sea bed.
In addition, they are home to a variety of other creatures that make up the ecosystem, and it is hoped this film will raise awareness among those who are on the verge of extinction.
Michael, 34, said: “I hope aquariums will be the final sanctuary of these creatures in the future, and possibly the primary food source when we need to restore natural reefs as a result of bleaching.
“A coral’s primary diet consists of lights due to the symbiotic algae living in their flesh.
“They’re also really adaptable at absorbing nutrients from the water around them, which might be supplied in the form of tiny crustaceans that live in the water – they are utility experts.”
Zack Rago, 25, a cast member of Chasing Coral, a Netflix documentary on the changes in the ocean said: “There are numerous stressors and hazards that coral reefs face, including overfishing and disease, ocean acidification and global bleaching – they are currently impacting worldwide coral reef ecosystems. “
Though all of these factors contribute to the deterioration of the seas and its aquatic life, global bleaching has had a tremendous influence on coral reefs due to the extremely high sea surface temperature.
“By the year 2050, we may lose up to 90% of global corals due to climate change, but our understanding of restoration and especially conservation is continuously growing.
“We as human beings must perform our part in order for science and research to be effective – reducing carbon emissions and repositioning ourselves in the global ecosystem are critical for coral reefs and other ecosystems that are facing difficulties.”