Species Type:
Corals, Invertebrates
Common Name(s):
Artichoke coral
Size:
Each artichoke coral can reach four inches (10 centimeters) in diameter.
Diet:
Using its polyp tentacles, artichoke corals catch and eat smaller marine organisms that drift by. They also have a special algae—called zooxanthellae– in their tissues that photosynthesize the sun's rays into energy/food.
Range & Habitat:
In the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic Ocean, artichoke coral can be found among shallow-moderately deep coral reef colonies.
Details:
Unlike many other corals, artichoke corals are solitary, meaning they do not form large colonies of many polyps. Artichoke corals thrive in a variety of environments from shallow reefs to deeper waters. They rely on the mutualistic relationship with zooxanthellae algae for energy, allowing them to thrive in nutrient-poor environments.