Species Type:
Invertebrates, Corals
Common Name(s):
Mushroom coral
Size:
Species in the Rhodactis genus can grow up to 18 inches (46 centimeters) across.
Diet:
Using its polyp tentacles, mushroom corals catch and eat smaller marine organisms that drift by. They also have a special algae—called zooxanthellae– in their tissues that photosynthesize the sun's rays into energy/food.
Range & Habitat:
In the Indo-Pacific region, these corals can be found in lagoons, reef flats and other shallow water environments.
Details:
Mushroom corals are highly diverse, displaying a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures. Their soft, fleshy bodies are covered in small, hair-like tentacles, giving them a furry or velvety appearance. Unlike many corals, Rhodactis corals do not build a hard calcium skeleton.