Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Caryophylliidae

Scientific name: Caryophyllia smithii

 

Norwegian: begerkorall

(Stord - Hordaland / 12 meters / 5.04.2004)

Distribution: This solitary stone coral is quite common along the coast of Norway, as far north as Trøndelag. It lives on rocks and other hard substrate, usually on depths from 15 to 200 meters.

Characteristics: It may reach a diameter of 2,5 cm. Even if it is a solitary coral it occasionally appears in clusters of two, three or even four individuals. It has less than 80 tentacles organized in three circles. Each tentacle is terminated by a distinct, white knob. The height of the cup-shaped skeleton is less than the diameter.

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