Yes, they can migrate too. Research from the Queensland University of Technology reveals this. A free-living coral seeks the light by moving and floating. Corals that move like jellyfish have not yet been explored.
The research was published in PLOS One. It investigated how the free-living fungal coral Cycloseris cyclolites moves, navigates and responds to light in its natural environments. «Not all corals are attached to the substrate. “Some are solitary and free-living, which allows them to migrate to preferred habitats.” The researchers said this in a statement.

rhythmic movement
“The lifestyle of these mobile corals remains largely unknown.” This small, free-living fungal coral species is capable of migrating to different reef habitats. It is often driven by the search for optimal lighting conditions.
It is capable of moving through a mechanism known as pulsed inflation. The coral inflates and deflates its tissue in rhythmic bursts to propel itself forward. It is like the movement seen in jellyfish.
The mechanism appears to be a widespread strategy for free-living corals. It helps in functions such as self-righting when turned over. Also the rejection of sediments when they are buried during storms and now phototaxis. These are behaviors that help coral survive in complex environments. «Our findings suggest that pulsed inflation is not just a survival strategy. It is a critical mechanism for migration and navigation,” they indicate.

blue light
They are more neurologically sophisticated species than previously thought. They show a marked preference for blue light. 86.7% of corals gravitate towards blue light sources, compared to only 20% preferring white light.
This aligns with their preference for deeper water habitats, where blue wavelengths predominate. It is crucial for their migration to optimal depths for survival, reproduction and dispersal.
Understanding corals that move like jellyfish is key to their future existence. “With these climate-driven factors increasing, the faster the migration, the better the chances of survival.”
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