Fire coral — printable fact sheet

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Fire coral

Millepora spp.

Fire corals are colonial marine organisms that resemble true corals but are actually more closely related to hydrozoans, such as jellyfish. They are named for their potent sting, which can cause a burning sensation upon contact with human skin due to specialized stinging cells c…

Classification

Invertebrate

Family

Milleporidae

Habitat

Shallow tropical and subtropical coral reefs

Diet

Carnivore

Conservation status

Least Concern

Lifespan

10-30 years

Weight

Varies greatly (colonies can weigh up to several kilograms)

Scientific name

Millepora spp.

Did you know?

Fire corals are capable of both sexual and asexual reproduction, enabling them to rapidly expand and colonize new areas of the reef.
Fire corals can quickly regenerate damaged areas, allowing them to recover from storms and predation. Their bright yellow, green, or brown coloration helps to warn potential predators of their painful sting. Despite their name and appearance, fire corals are not true corals but are classified as hydrozoans.

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