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
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Copepods
- Invertebrate larvae
- Organic detritus
Predators
- Nudibranchs
- Butterflyfish
- Sea spiders
ThreatsManual eradication efforts, native species competition, and water pollution
HabitatsShaded rocky reefs, caves, shipwrecks, and oil platforms
Life span10 to 30 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyDendrophylliidae
- SpeciesTubastraea coccinea
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance while diving or snorkeling.
Responsible observation
- 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.
Image unavailablePredator Competitor Close Relative
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