Scientists from KAUST and the National Center for Wildlife (NCW) report in PNAS NEXUS an unusual ecosystem below the third largest coral reef system in the world and biggest in the Red Sea. Found in Difat Farasan, otherwise known as the Farasan Bank and located near the border between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, deep waters were inhabited by corals, fish and other animals not expected to survive in waters with such low oxygen and high acidity.  

Several of the creatures showed unexpected coping strategies to the extreme environment. Fish swam slower, and corals were healthy in conditions that normally prevent the calcification of their skeletons. Calcification is necessary for coral growth and survival. 

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