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Green birdsnest coral

Seriatopora hystrix

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Fun Facts

These corals often extend their tentacles at night to catch prey and retract them during the day to protect themselves. 

Species Type:

Corals, Invertebrates

Common Name(s):

Green birdsnest coral

Size:

These corals can grow up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) long.

Diet:

Using their polyps, green birdsnest corals catch organic compounds and small marine organisms from their environment. They also have a special algae—called zooxanthellae– in their tissues that photosynthesize the sun's rays into energy/food.

Range & Habitat:

Green birdsnest corals live in shallow reef environments throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

Details:

While their name suggests they’re green, these corals can actually be green, pink, blue or cream in color. Green birdsnest corals grow thin branches from a single base and are usually in dense groupings.