Order: Alcyonacea
Commonly known as Soft Corals, these corals do not produce skeletons from calcium carbonate. Many of these form symbiotic relationships with photosynthetic zooanthellae for their nutrients. They will still filter the water column for food.
No Information Domesticated Near Threatened Endangered Extinct in the Wild
Data Deficient Least Concern Vulnerable Critically Endangered
Data Deficient Least Concern Vulnerable Critically Endangered
Family: Alcyoniidae
There are around 36 genera described here.
Toadstool Coral
Sarcophyton - Also known as Leather Coral, Mushroom Leather Coral, or Tough Coral, this is one of several closely-related species. They filter their nutrients directly from the water and are considered a good 'beginner' coral for salt water tank environments.
For more information select the common name above.
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Finger Leather Coral
Sinularia sp- There are 166 species currently described here. Without a species name, there is little else I can add here.
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Cabbage Leather Coral
Sinularia dura For more information select the common name above.
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Famly: Anthothelidae
There are around 11 genera described here.
Encrusting Gargonian
Erythropodium caribaeorum also known as Encrusting Polyps
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Famly: Gorgoniidae
There are around 19 genera described here.
Also known as Sea Feathers or Purple Frilly Gorgonian, these can grow to heights of 7 feet. They live in warm waters of the Caribbean.
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Yellow Sea Whip
Pterogorgia citrina Also known as a Yellow Ribbon, Gold Ribbon, or Green Lace Gorgonian.
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Family: Nephtheidae
There are around 17 genera described here.
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Kenya Tree Coral
Capnella - One of 21 species of Kenya Tree Coral. If I come across more information I will update this.
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Family: Xeniidae
There are around 17 genera and 137 species described here.
Pulsing Xenid
Heteroxenia fuscescens Native to lagoons and bays in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, these animals form up in colonies up to 2 feet across. They grow to around 2 inches tall. They pulse less than once per second, and no one really knows why. Some think it moves water and, therefore, food. Others think it's about respiration or removing wastes. This species gets most of its energy from its symbiotic relationship with Zooanthella.
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These can grow up to 3 inches tall. The polyps open and close giving the appearance of the pulsing hand. Large colonies will form a mat. Xenias are photosynthetic.
For more information select the common name above.
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