Cirrhipathes, de Blainville, 1830
Cirrhipathes is a genus of black coral from the family Antipathidae. Coral species in this genus are commonly known as whip or wire corals because they often exhibit a twisted or coiled morphology. In addition to their colorful appearance, with colors ranging from yellow to red passing through blue and green, these species possess a dark skeleton that is characteristic to every black coral.
Like all corals, Cirrhipathes species are made of and covered by polyps. These polyps are responsible for providing defense and feeding mechanisms in the form of stinging structures known as nematocysts. These structures, which are present in their tentacles, are fired at preys or predators. The characteristic barbed-wire-like appearance of Cirrhipathes species is the result of their inability to completely retract their polyps. They can grow up to more than three meters in length.
Commonly found in tropical and subtropical areas, these corals are part of the reefs in the Indian and Pacific oceans, sometimes as shallow as 15 metres (49 ft) but often at depths greater than 50 metres (160 ft). Long and unbranched, Cirrhipathes species are attached to coral reefs.
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