Orange Cup Coral

Tubastraea coccinea

Orange and red are the color of these coral polyps with briliant orange tentacles. Found in areas of clear water under rock ledges, in caves, and rock wall overhangs. Small clumps of a few individuals or large colonies are scatterd around the island. They are also referred to as Orange Tube Coral, Flower Coral or Orange Coral. They inhabit depths as shallow as 1 foot and deeper. The polyps are generally less than 3/4 of an inch in diameter.