Tortured Black Coral Whip

Found over drop-offs, slopes, and terraces, of coral and rocky reefs. This genus has polyps on three sides, leaving one side bare.

They are called Black Corals because the inner skeleton is black, over this they have a fleshy skin that varies in colour with the different corals.
The polyps have six tentacles which although cannot be retracted, may shrink if disturbed.
A number of other animals live in the branches, e.g. Pteria penquin (Winged pearl oyster), Lopha cristagalli (Cock's comb oyster), Periclimenes sp.(Black coral shrimp).