Alcyoniidae [Alcyoniidae]

Description

The Alcyoniidae family, commonly known as soft corals, comprises species that are predominantly fleshy and often resemble leather or plants. Members of this family display a wide range of colors and shapes, and they usually inhabit shallow to deep waters on coral reefs. They are characterized by their lack of a solid exoskeleton; instead, their structure is supported by tiny, spiky skeletal elements called sclerites. These corals are important for the reef ecosystem as they provide habitat for a variety of marine life.

Genera

Taxonomy