Corals can reproduce asexually and sexually. In asexual reproduction, it is known as "budding" and it happens when a new clonal polyps bud off from parent polyps to expand or begin new colonies. This occurs when the parent polyp reaches a certain size and divides. Other corals reproduce by fragmentation where a broken portion of a colony grows to establish a new colony that is genetically identical to the parent colony. Sexually, coral like most other sea creatures will release sperm into the water and then the other coral will intake the sperm, and then fertilize it to produce eggs.