The Devonshire cup coral is a species of stony coral, with less that 80 slender translucent tentacles in three layers of circles. It is usually found on its own but can very rarely be found in clusters of 2-4 corals. It has a calcified cup-shaped skeleton, and its colour ranges from white, pink, orange and red to green.

Behaviour

These corals eat zooplankton using its tentacles which draw the food into its mouth. The mouth has a zigzag pattern around it which helps distinguish it from an anemone.

Size

Up to 2.5 cm diameter.

Status

Common.

Distribution

Shetland to north-west Scotland.

When to see

All year around.

Facts

Most of the coral skeleton is made up of bundles of microscopic crystal needles.