Anthelia [Anthelia]

Description

Anthelia is a genus of soft corals in the family Xeniidae, known for its pulsating polyps. These corals are characterized by their encrusting or lobed colonies that often resemble a mat or a field of waving hands under the water. Anthelia species are commonly found in shallow, tropical marine environments, where they form symbiotic relationships with photosynthetic algae known as zooxanthellae. This relationship allows them to thrive in nutrient-poor waters by utilizing sunlight for energy.

Species

Waving Hand Coral [Anthelia edmondsoni]

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Snowflake Coral [Anthelia glauca]

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Common Star Polyp [Anthelia species]

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Taxonomy