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All About Fire Coral

Written by Leisure Pro Staff
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Published on February 23, 2013

Corals are some of the most amazing yet misunderstood creatures on the planet. Because they grow to look somewhat like a plant, many people believe they actually are plants. However, corals are actually large colonies of tiny creatures called polyps. Only polyps of the same species live together. Fire coral are some of the most beautiful coral species. However, they are not true corals, but are actually more closely related to jellies and some species of anemones, which grow in a manner very similar to corals.

There are thirteen different fire coral species. These species include beautiful specimens such as the net coral, the sea ginger, the box coral, and the blade coral. Fire corals are found around the world. They grow well in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, as well as in the Indian Ocean and in the Caribbean Sea. Each specific type of coral grows in a different area.

Each species of fire coral has a slightly different appearance. Some of these corals grow in small, bubble like patches on other corals. Other corals look much like seaweed. They grow in thin branches and may have small or large bubble shapes at the end of each branch. Still other corals grow in rounded sheets that look somewhat like large, stiff leaves.

These bright, bold corals are usually yellow, brown or tan in color. However, these shades can also be tinted with green. The tips of the coral may be a slightly darker or lighter shade than the body, depending on the species.

Fire corals gather nutrients in two ways. The first way is through a symbiotic relationship with a specific type of algae. The algae, called zooxanthellae, live on the coral. The coral provides the algae with protection. In return, the algae use sunlight to photosynthesize. The nutrients produced by the algae through photosynthesis feed the coral.

Fire coral also gains nutrients by capturing and digesting extremely small prey creatures. To do this, the coral uses fine hairs, called nematocysts, to reach out and sting prey before gathering it in. It is in this way that the coral truly displays its relation to anemones and jellies, which can also sting when touched. Many a diver has had an unfortunate brush with the stinging cells of the fire coral, which results in intense pain that can last anywhere from a couple days to a couple weeks. One of the better reasons to practice perfect buoyancy on every dive!

 Have you ever had the misfortune of being stung by fire coral?

Leisure Pro Staff

Leisure Pro Staff

Marketing Director for LeisurePro