Stinging or Fire Coral - ( Class Hydrozoa) Millepora atcicornis(Linnaeus)
Found in 20 to 80 feet.
The colonies of this Order Milleporina form heavy calcarous skeletons much resembling corals, with which they were long classified.
There are several species of Millepora in our area, all difficult to identify. The colonies may incrust alcyonarian skeltons or form upright, thick,
ruffled sheets or small branches. When alive the colony is brown to light creamy yellow with white tips. The surface is smooth, covered with
minute pores within which the polyps live. Contact with a live colony may cause severe burning sensations due to toxins injected by the nematocysts.
Fire corals are found on coral reefs throughout the West Indies.