Story: Corals, anemones and jellyfish

Black coral

Black coral

While alive, black corals are actually white, like this specimen in Fiordland. Most black corals are deep-sea species, but in the dark waters of Fiordland, Antipathella fiordensis grows at depths of only 15 to 50 metres. Fiordland’s colonies of black coral carry some brittle stars (in this photograph two are visible). Scientists think they help to keep the coral free of smothering sediments.

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Ryan Photographic
Photograph by Paddy Ryan

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How to cite this page:

Dennis Gordon, 'Corals, anemones and jellyfish - True corals and sea anemones', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/4728/black-coral (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Dennis Gordon, published 12 Jun 2006, updated 26 Sep 2016