Species · GBIF taxon 2259549
Sun Coral
Tubastraea coccineaAlso known as Orange Cup Coral, Sun Polyps, Orange Sun Coral
Sun corals illuminate dark underwater ledges, cave ceilings, and shipwrecks with brilliant clusters of orange and yellow polyps that resemble miniature sunbursts. Unlike reef-building corals, they lack symbiotic algae and do not require sunlight, relying instead on a nocturnal display of translucent tentacles to capture passing plankton. This highly adaptable nature has allowed them to colonize artificial structures and expand rapidly as an invasive species across global oceans.
NocturnalInvasiveMarine
Licensed referencePauline Walsh Jacobson / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
- diet
- Zooplankton and suspended organic particles
- family
- Dendrophylliidae
- threats
- Manual eradication efforts, native species competition, and water pollution
- life Span
- 10 to 30 years
NE
Safe to observe at a normal distance while diving or snorkeling.
- Night Diving: Plan a night dive to see the polyps fully expanded and actively feeding.
- Avoid Touching: Keep your fins and hands clear to avoid damaging the delicate stony cups.
- Report Sightings: Document colonies in non-native regions to help marine biologists track their invasive spread.