Branched Cup Coral
Blastomussa merleti
Branched cup coral forms compact colonies on sheltered tropical reefs, often beneath ledges or in dimmer reef areas. Its fleshy polyps extend feeding tentacles, particularly at night, to catch zooplankton and suspended organic particles. Each polyp can rapidly retract into its hard calcium-carbonate cup when disturbed, while stinging cells on the tentacles deter would-be predators.
- Type
- Water / Venom
- Conservation status
- LC
Growth chain
- ?
- ?
- Branched Cup Coral