Octocorals

Soft Corals

Soft coral is also known as Alcyonacea and ahermatypic coral, which is a type of coral that does not secrete calcium carbonate skeleton or forms reefs. They are normally colorful and look like underwater plants that swing with the wave in the ocean. They are colonial, and often times little polyps combine together to form a large organism.

Structure and Biology

Soft corals have sclerites, which is a spiky skeleton element that soft coral secretes that supports their vertical structure as well as give them texture. They also has gorgonin in the inner core of their colony, which is a type of fibrous protein that enables the flexibility of soft corals and their swinging movement along with the ocean waves (NOAA). Their polyps are anatomically different.

Suborders

Suborders of Soft Corals

Alcyoniina

Calcaxonia

Holaxonia

Protoalcyonaria

Scleraxonia

Stolonifera

Distribution and Habitats

Soft Corals can be found in waters world wise; however, primarily exist in tropical climates. They are typically found in intertidal zones. Some are found at depths up to six hundred and fifty feet or more. Soft corals exist on inner reefs just below the stony corals. They are not often the dominant corals within the reef, inhabiting dim areas such as caverns. Soft corals are easily collected from the wild and most will thrive and grow quickly in captivity. Because of this, soft corals are popular for domestic aquariums.

Class Photos from the US/British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean

• Gorgonians

References

animal-world.com