Blue Coral

Superpower

Lays down a rare permanently blue skeleton, unlike any other reef coral.

At a glance

Size

typically 100 cm, up to 300 cm

Lifespan

20–100 years

Depth

1–30 m

Habitat

Shallow, sunlit reef flats in warm clear water.

Diet

Energy from symbiotic algae by day; catches plankton at night.

Can I eat it?

No — this one is not eaten.

Safety

• Venomous1/10

  Mild stinging cells, harmless to people.

Fun facts

• •It is the only coral with a true blue skeleton.
• •The blue colour comes from iron salts in its skeleton.
• •It is one of the oldest reef-building corals on Earth.