Description

Also known as Leather Coral, Leather Toadstool, Leather Umbrella.

Found on coral and rocky reefs, long tentacles may be extended during the day and night especially when there is a flood tide. They produce a toxin to stop other animals colonising their areas.
They feed on plankton.
Length - 6cm
Depth - 10-30m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

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.
Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcyoniidae