It is not accurate to say fish "eat" coral. Coral is a living animal, not a traditional food source. While some fish may nibble on coral polyps, they do not consume it as a primary diet.
Coral reefs provide habitat for countless fish species. Herbivorous fish that graze on algae growing on coral help keep reefs healthy. The greatest threat to coral is not fish, but human activities such as climate change, pollution, and overfishing.
Protecting these delicate ecosystems is essential.