Hikkaduwa Coral Reefs

One of Sri Lanka’s three marine national parks is Hikkaduwa National Park. Some of Asia’s best coral gardens can be found there. A highly diverse fringing coral reef can be found in the national park. On May 18, 1979, the region was designated as a wildlife refuge. A typical shallow fringing reef, the Hikkaduwa coral reef has an average depth of about 5 meters (16 ft).

The coral reef is dominated by species of foliaceous Montipora. There are also branching and encrusting species. The reef’s inshore regions are home to large colonies of Faviidae and Poritidae corals. The reef contains staghorn, elkhorn, cabbage, brain, table, and star corals. From the reef, 60 species of coral from 31 genera have been identified. Over 170 reef fish species from 76 genera were also discovered on the reef.

Seagrass and marine algae from the genera Halimeda and Caulerpa are widespread on the seafloor at depths of 5–10 meters. Dugong and marine turtles have a home among seagrasses. Seagrass is a food source for several kinds of prawns. Along with several other vertebrates and invertebrates like crabs, prawns, shrimps, oysters, and sea worms, the reef is home to eight species of ornamental fish. An indigenous coral species to Sri Lanka is called Porites desilveri. The reef fish species Chlorurus rhakoura and Pomacentrus proteus are unique to Sri Lanka. Along the reef’s outer slope, blacktip reef sharks can be found. The hawksbill turtle, green turtle, and olive ridley sea turtles are three sea turtles that have been designated as being under danger of visiting the coral reef.