Zooxanthellae live amongst the anemone and coral of the reefs. They photosynthesise and produce food which gets passed on to their hosts, which are small polyps. They use the carbon dioxide from the polyps respiration to aid with their photosynthesis.

 

These organisms also have a white pigment to protect against coral bleaching.

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 Zooxanthellae are algae and are classified in Bacillariophyceae, Cryptophyceae, Dinophyceae, and Rhodophycaeae and of the genera Amphidinium