WHATSTHATFISH
Jellyfish & hydroids

Net Fire Coral

Millepora dichotoma

Also known as: Fire Coral, Fire Hydroid, Lace Coral, Octocoral

ENEndangeredIUCN Red List, 2024
Adult
@Kalab · Gordon Reef, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, Egypt · September 20111 / 3
01

Overview

Found growing in fan shaped colonies, over exposed portions of upper reef slopes, growing transverse to the prevailing current, for maximum exposure for feeding, over lagoons, inner and outer reefs.
Length - Individual Fan 60cm - Clumps may be several metres.

This hydroid has a powerful sting.

Hydroids look like tiny ferns or feathers, many are smaller than 5cm although some can grow to 50cm.
They are found competing for space with sponges on bare patches of dead coral and rocks.
Stinging hydroid polyps are very small and are carried on the stem and side branches of feather/fern like colonies. The specific layout of the polyps on the branches, as well as the arrangement of the branches are used to classify different species.
The class Hydrozoa encompasses the most diverse group of venomous species and includes the stinging hydroids, hydrocorals (firecorals) and the portugese man of war (siphonophore)
Some species can inflict painful stings.

02

How to identify

COLOURS
Pattern
white tips
Body shape
fannet

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 3
LIVES IN

Found growing in fan shaped colonies, over exposed portions of upper reef slopes, growing transverse to the prevailing current, for maximum exposure for feeding, over lagoons, inner and outer reefs.

04

Adult photos 3

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumCnidaria
    3. classHydrozoa
    4. orderAnthoathecata
    5. familyMilleporidae
    6. genusMillepora
    7. speciesMillepora dichotoma Forsskål, 1775

    SourcesWoRMSWikipedia

    06

    More in the family

    Anthoathecata