Antipathes

Antipathes is a genus of coral in the order Antipatharia, composed of black coral (so named for its black skeleton).^[1] Distinct features vary greatly within this genus: it contains symmetrically aligned as well as irregularly shaped corals, a range of different colors, and colonies that can be either sparsely branched or closely packed. polyps for these corals have six tentacles that are each lined with stinging cells.^[2] Unlike their reef-building cousins, these coral lack photosynthesizing algae and are not restricted to the lighter surface regions. They prefer to live in deeper waters near currents so they can catch and eat passing zooplankton.^[3]

Colony of zoanthid Antipathozoanthus hickmani covering an Antipathes galapagensis just off Pinzón Island