Orange Cup Coral [Balanophyllia elegans]
Description
The Orange Cup Coral is a small, solitary coral that is typically bright red or orange. It is commonly found in rocky subtidal environments along the Pacific Coast of North America. It is a non-reef building coral and prefers to attach to hard substrates, where it can often be found in crevices or caves. It is a nocturnal species, extending its tentacles to feed on small planktonic organisms during the night.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Jellyfish, Sea Anemones, and Relatives
Cnidaria
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Sea Anemones and Corals
Anthozoa
|
| Order |
Stony Corals
Scleractinia
|
| Family |
Dendrophylliidae
Dendrophylliidae
|
| Genus |
Cup Corals
Turbinaria
|