Blog Medhufushi – 03.06.2021

Yellow Naked Soft Coral (Chironephthya sp.) Also known as Fan Thistle Coral, Limp Coral, Soft Tree Coral, Thistle Coral, Tree Coral.

Found in caves and under ledges, along drop-offs and walls of coral and rocky reefs.
They feed on zooplankton.
Length – 15cm
Depth – 10-30m
Widespread Western Atlantic, Indo-Pacific, Maldives

Most soft corals have no true skeleton and so their bodies are flexible.
Some soft corals have spikes very similar to rose thorns which may help to protect against predators.
Soft corals are food and shelter to many marine animals, some of which hide in the branches and take on the colouration of these corals.