coral seas

taking hundreds of years to fully mature, coral reefs only grow from 5- 25 millimeters a year. coral is an animal that grows like a plant but is actually an animal. butterfly fish can live up to 10 years, in captivity, but in the wild they usually only live for 7.  butterfly fish spend most of their time eating coral, coral polyps, and small invertebrates. they work together either, providing food shelter and hygiene.