Orange Cup Coral
Tubastraea coccinea
Orange cup coral is a bright orange, non-reef-building coral found on shaded rocky reefs, wrecks, pilings, and other hard underwater surfaces. Its fleshy polyps open mainly at night, extending tentacles to catch zooplankton and other tiny drifting prey. Unlike many tropical corals, it does not rely on symbiotic algae and can thrive in dim water. It has become an invasive species in some regions after spreading on ship hulls and artificial structures.
- Type
- Water / Venom
- Conservation status
- NE
Growth chain
- ?
- ?
- Orange Cup Coral