Before and after spawning season, the corals are fed 2-3 times per week to provide them and their housemates with enough energy and nutrients. Their favorite food is copepods, small crustaceans that live in the water column and in amongst the coral reef. With their prey they can also take up microalgae which is left in the copepod guts. During feeding time every polyp is trying to catch as much as they can with their tentacles and directly put it in their mouth. And if that is not enough, they will hold on to some pieces with their tentacles for later. If you dissect a coral soon after feeding you can find dozens of copepods inside!
