Species Type:
Corals, Invertebrates
Common Name(s):
Star coral
Size:
Each corallite on star coral is 0.25-0.40 inches (2.5 - 4 millimeters) in diameter.
Diet:
Using its tentacles, star coral will catch and eat smaller marine organisms 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:
Occurring in the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, the great star coral inhabits waters anywhere from 30-100 feet (10-30 meters) deep.
Details:
Star corals extend their tentacle-like polyps at night to catch plankton drifting in the water. The coral gets its colors from symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae, which live in its tissues and provide it with energy through photosynthesis. When exposed to stress, such as rising ocean temperatures, this coral can undergo bleaching, losing its algae and turning a stark white.