Species Type:
Corals, Invertebrates
Common Name(s):
Yellow cup coral
Size:
Yellow cup corals can grow up to several meters across.
Diet:
Using their polyps, yellow cup corals filter organic compounds and small marine organisms from the water in their environment. They also have a special algae—called zooxanthellae– in their tissues that photosynthesize the sun's rays into energy/food.
Range & Habitat:
Yellow cup corals can be found in shallow rocky areas and reef colonies throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Details:
Depending on water flow and conditions, yellow cup corals can grow into plates, cups, or even column-like structures. Unlike many corals that feed at night, this coral species extend their polyps during the day to absorb nutrients and light.