What Is Fire Coral? - The Coral That Stings

Fire coral are marine animals within the family Milleporidae. They are so-called due to their sting, but also their appearance. They range from green to brown in tone, but some are q fiery yellow. Coupled with their long stem and upwards growth, they often resemble a flame of fire.

As you can see in the photo below, they look like plants, but they are actually part of the animal kingdom. They are related to jellyfish and other cnidarians, resembling jellyfish polyps in their juvenile stage. Learn more with our article on different types of Mediterranean jellyfish species.

It is important to know that fire corals are not true corals. Corals only have a sessile polyp phase, but fire coral alternate between the adult medusa phase and the polyp phase. Normally, corals only remain in the polyp phase. This is why true coral are classified under the class Anthozoa, but fire coral belongs to the class Hydrozoa. Sometimes fire coral are known as false coral or hydrocoral.

There is only one genus in the family Milleporidae, which is Millepora spp. Some of the different types of fire coral species include:

• Millepora tenera
• Millepora tuberosa
• Millepora dichotoma
• Millepora platyphylla
• Millepora intrinsica
• Millepora boschmai
• Millepora alcicornis

You can learn more about a particular type of true coral with our article on what is soft coral?

Now we know about the classification and types of fire coral, we can look at its specific characteristics:

• Morphologically, fire corals are characterized by having a yellow to brown calcified stone skeleton. They form coral reefs and their branches are very thick which are characteristic of this family.
  
  
• They are formed by multiple polyps within this skeletal framework. As colonial organisms, they require several individuals to keep the colony functioning and are connected to each other by internal channels. These polyps are particularly long , looking like hairs that float hanging from the coral. Learn about another type of colonial marine organisms with our article on what are zooxanthellae?
  
  
• Despite having some basic similarities, fire coral take on many different forms. Some grow in thick upward branches like trees (branching fire coral), some are plate-shaped (plate fire coral) and others grow over remnants of existing coral reefs (encrusting fire coral). Branching fire coral is represented in the photo below.
  
  
• They are found on rocks or among true corals, but always in marine ecosystems. They are associated with coral reefs, which is why they are only distributed in the tropical and subtropical fringes of the continents. The greatest depth at which they have been found is a maximum of 40 meters (131 ft), meaning that they always remain in shallow waters.
  
  
• The diet is predatory since the venomous fire coral has the ability to kill small fish, mollusks and crustaceans in a short time. But they also feed through symbiosis with zooxanthellae that reside in their tissue. These are algae that provide nutrients from their photosynthesis, and in exchange the coral provides shelter along with the compounds it discards that are incorporated into the zooxanthellae die via a process called symbiosis.
  
  
• Corals have a defense and feeding system that consists of highly specialized cells embedded in the tissues, called cnidocytes. A harpoon comes out of them that is attached to the prey or threat, and when inserted it injects venom that is stored in the capsule of this cell.

Discover more types of deadly marine animals with our list of the most venomous types of fish.

Symptoms of a fire coral sting include severe pain, accompanied by skin irritation, inflammation, itching, blisters or lesions. They are immediately noticeable upon contact with fire coral, but can last for about two days. In the worst cases, this can extend up to two weeks. In addition, the texture of the stone skeleton is quite hard and scratches the skin if it is rubbed. This leaves the skin vulnerable to the settling of bacteria and possible infections. Although the pain is strong, the venom is not lethal to humans.

If you are stung by fire coral, treatment should be carried out immediately. You should make a solution of water with 10% vinegar and apply it to the sting area. The topical application and oral administration of antihistamines is also recommended to reduce the symptoms of hives. The application of fresh water should always be avoided because it stimulates the activation of nematocysts that are in the skin. Subsequently, it is recommended to attend a medical unit to have the wounds checked and the necessary medical treatment applied.

To avoid stings, it is recommended to use neoprene suits to go into the sea if you know of there is the presence of fire coral. Ideally, you should avoid coral reefs if there are signs on the beaches that warn of them. Since these corals have long polyps, they are more likely to inject their nematocysts. If you are going to visit a coral reef you should not step on the seabed to avoid harming all the types of life that live there, in addition to protecting yourself from venomous animal species.

Now you know about false coral, you can take a look at another type of true coral with our article on what is gorgonian coral?

If you want to read similar articles to What Is Fire Coral? - The Coral That Stings, we recommend you visit our Wild animals category.