What animals eat zooxanthellae?

It's not quite accurate to say that animals directly eat zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae are single-celled algae that live in a symbiotic relationship with various animals, most famously corals. They are not a primary food source for these animals.

Here's how it works:

* Symbiosis: Zooxanthellae live within the tissues of their host animal, like corals, anemones, and some sea slugs.

* Photosynthesis: The zooxanthellae use sunlight to perform photosynthesis, producing food (sugars) for themselves and their host.

* Benefits for the host: The host animal receives nutrients from the zooxanthellae, which helps it grow and thrive. In return, the zooxanthellae receive a safe and protected environment to live.

So, while animals don't directly eat zooxanthellae, they rely on the nutrients they produce.

However, there are some scenarios where animals might indirectly "consume" zooxanthellae:

* Coral bleaching: When corals experience stress (e.g., from heat, pollution), they expel their zooxanthellae. These expelled algae can then be consumed by other organisms, like zooplankton.

* Predation on coral: Some animals, like crown-of-thorns starfish, prey on coral polyps, which contain zooxanthellae. However, the starfish are not primarily targeting the algae themselves, but rather the coral tissue.

It's important to remember that the relationship between zooxanthellae and their host animals is a complex and delicate one. The health of both partners depends on the success of this symbiotic relationship.