Marine fungi

Okay kiddo, do you remember learning about fungi in the forest? Well, there are also some types of fungi that live in the oceans and seas called marine fungi.

Marine fungi are kind of like the mushrooms or molds you may have seen before, but they live in salt water instead of on land. They are very small and can be very hard to see without a microscope or magnifying glass.

These fungi play important roles in the marine ecosystem. They help break down dead plants and animals in the ocean, which helps keep the water clean and healthy. They also help recycle nutrients that are essential for other living things in the ocean to grow and survive.

Some of these fungi have even been used by humans to make medicines, like antibiotics, that can help treat illnesses.

Marine fungi can be found in all kinds of ocean environments, like in coral reefs, the bottom of the ocean, and even on floating debris like driftwood. Scientists are still learning more about these tiny but important organisms, and there is still so much to discover!