Orange Cup Coral

Orange cup coral (Tubastraea coccinea) is a species of large-polyp stony corals. This non-reef building coral extends translucent tentacles at night. Tubastraea coccinea is heterotrophic and does not contain zooxanthellae in its tissues as many tropical corals do, allowing it to grow in complete darkness as long as it can capture enough food. T. coccinea is an invasive coral known for its vibrant sun-like colors, which contrast against the dimly lit areas it inhabits. This organism has a massive geographic range, spreading as far as the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico since its original discovery in 1830. Ballast water is a significant benefactor to their spread, though T.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it venomous or poisonous?

We have no record of Orange Cup Coral being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

• Cladopsammia gracilis
• Astroides calycularis
• Dendrophyllia arbuscula
• Tubastraea megacorallita
• Parazoanthus brevitentacularis
• Tubastraea aurea

Classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Cnidaria

Class

Anthozoa

Order

Scleractinia

Family

Dendrophylliidae

Genus

Tubastraea

Species

Tubastraea coccinea

More species