Cabbage Leather Coral

Superpower

Wages chemical warfare, oozing toxins to stop stony corals crowding it out.

At a glance

Size

typically 20 cm, up to 100 cm

Depth

1–20 m

Habitat

Reef flats and slopes, tolerant of murkier water.

Diet

Mostly fed by symbiotic algae.

Can I eat it?

No — this one is not eaten.

Safety

• Poisonous3/10

  Releases chemicals (terpenes) to fight neighbouring corals.

Fun facts

• •Soft 'leather' corals have a tough, leathery surface.
• •It folds into ruffles that look like a cabbage.
• •It releases chemicals to keep rival corals at bay.