corallimorpharians

Corallimorpharians are a group of marine invertebrates belonging to the order Corallimorpharia. They are commonly known as coral-like anemones or mushroom anemones. These cnidarians are closely related to stony corals and sea anemones, and like them, possess stinging cells called nematocysts. Corallimorpharians are characterized by their fleshy, disc-shaped bodies with tentacles radiating from the oral disc. Unlike stony corals, they do not secrete a calcium carbonate skeleton. Their bodies are often colorful and can vary greatly in size and pattern.

They are found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide, inhabiting a range of environments from shallow reef flats to deeper waters. Many species are sessile, attaching themselves to hard substrates like rocks and coral skeletons. Some corallimorpharians are colonial, forming clusters of individuals, while others are solitary. They are primarily carnivorous, feeding on small fish, plankton, and other drifting organisms captured with their tentacles. Many also host symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae within their tissues, which provide them with supplementary nutrients through photosynthesis. This symbiosis is crucial for their survival in nutrient-poor reef environments. Corallimorpharians play a role in reef ecosystems as both prey and predators.