Fire coral

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Fire coral
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Subkingdom: Metazoa Phylum: Cnidaria Class: Hydrozoa Order: Capitata Family: Milleporidae Genus: Millepora
Species
M. dichotoma M. platyphylla

Fire corals aren't technically corals. Fire corals are members of the phylum Cnidaria, class Hydrozoa, order Capitata, family Milleporidae. Even though this fire coral looks like real life coral, it is actually closer on the family tree to jellyfish and other stinging anemones.

[edit] Distinguishing characteristics

Fire corals have a bright yellow-green and brown skeletal covering and are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters. They appear in small brush-like growths on rocks and coral. Divers often mistake fire coral for seaweed, and accidental contact is common. The very small nematocysts on fire corals contain tentacles that protrude from numerous surface pores (similar to Jelly Fish stings). In addition, fire corals have a sharp, calcified external skeleton that can scrape the skin.^[1]

[edit] Species

• Net fire coral, Millepora dichotoma
• Plate fire coral, Millepora platyphylla

[edit] References

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/wilderness_fire_coral_cuts/article_em.htm