Short communication: Survey of Stag-horn corals (Acropora spp.) bleaching in the Hendurabi Island (Northern of the Persian Gulf)

Bleaching phenomenon was observed in coral communities by Coral Watch method and Photo-transect in Hendorabi Island in Sep.2016.Coral health indices were estimated E1 (complete whitening), E6 (Complete health)and E4 (whitish) for Acropora spp., Hydnophora spp. And Hydnophora spp., also temperature was measured 33.1 ° C around coral colonies. The results of this study showed that the colonies of branching corals are completely whitened, but massive corals can withstand environmental temperature stresses, although some of them have an E4 index and, it is more critical to assume that these species can not relieve themselves of environmental temperature stresses. Since the coral ecosystem, especially the branching coral, has ecological and fishery value for the ornamental fish and larvae of some commercial fish, so health monitoring of the corals is recommended in order to environmental management.