Cirrhipathes anguina

Dana, 1846

Black Coral, Whip Coral, Wire Coral

Range: Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Size: An unbranched coral that can extend up to 10 feet (3 m).

Natural Environment: Inhabits deep reefs in both tropical and subtropical waters.

Aquarium Suitability: May be straight or form attractive peculiar twisted or coiled shapes. The color of this coral is variable, e.g., pale green, yellow, brown and grey. Like all other black corals (those belonging to the Order Antipatharia), this species has a dark skeleton covered with polyps. Each polyp is attached to the skeleton at the base, while the other end bears a mouth surrounded by tentacles. Unlike many corals that retract their polyps during the day or night, this species can only partly retract them, giving the coral a barbed-wire-like appearance. Often called Wire Coral.

Even though it could be kept in aquariums, best left in the wild.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Antipatharia

Family: Antipathidae

Genus: Cirrhipathes

FYI: Not collected for the trade.