Species Type:
Corals, Invertebrates
Common Name(s):
Smooth flower coral
Size:
Smooth flower coral can grow up to 9.84 inches (25 centimeters) in height.
Diet:
Using the stinging cells in its tentacles, smooth flower coral will catch smaller marine invertebrates that drift by. Coral also have a special algae—called zooxanthellae– in their tissues that photosynthesize the sun's rays into energy/food.
Range & Habitat:
Smooth flower coral is most commonly found on the front, back and edges of patch reefs, and lagoons in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.
Details:
The color of smooth flower coral varies between yellow, brown, gray and blue-green. Its flower-like polyps are larger and spaced out, branching out from a specific point. During the day, the polyps remain closed, protecting the coral from potential threats or environmental changes. At night, however, the polyps open up, revealing their striking appearance and providing a feeding opportunity for the coral.