Mushroom soft coral
Anthomastus ritteri
- On view
- Into the Deep
- Animal type
- Invertebrates
- Ecosystem
- Deep sea
- Relatives
- Reef-building corals
- Diet
- Animal plankton
- Range
- On rocky surfaces at depths of 700 to 4,050 feet (213–1,243 meters)
- Size
- Up to 6 inches (15 cm) across
Meet the mushroom soft coral
This animal takes on two very different shapes. When closed up tight, it looks like a mushroom. But with tentacles outstretched to feed, it looks more like a flower. So how does a mushroom coral catch its meals? Those showy tentacles contain venomous stinging cells that capture tiny animals drifting by.
Did you know?
The Aquarium has raised mushroom soft coral throughout its entire lifecycle so we can populate our exhibits from home grown animals.
Conservation
Anything that finds its way into the ocean, whether it's tossed away as trash, washes off a beach or falls off a boat, may eventually make its way to the deep sea. It's important to realize that the deep sea is not so far away that it's beyond the reach of human activities. Living creatures in the deep are affected by what we do at the surface.
Cool facts
- Catsharks sometimes lay their egg cases on a mushroom coral's stalks.
Up next in deep sea
Animal
Filetail catshark
The filetail catshark has large, catlike eyes that glow—perfect for hunting in near-darkness.
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Giant siphonophore
When startled, the giant siphonophore glows with bright blue light.