- Alcyonacea
Taxobox
name = Soft coral
image_caption = Cladiella sp.
regnum =Animal ia
phylum =Cnidaria
classis = Anthozoa
subclassis =Alcyonaria
ordo = Alcyonacea
ordo_authority =
subdivision_ranks =Suborders
subdivision =Alcyoniina Calcaxonia Holaxonia Protoalcyonaria Scleraxonia Stolonifera The Alcyonacea, or the soft corals are an order of
coral s which do not producecalcium carbonate skeletons and so are neitherreef -building corals nor do they lay new foundations for future corals. Instead they contain minute, spiney skeletal elements called sclerites. Aside from their scientific utility in species identification, sclerites give these corals some degree of support and give their flesh a spiky, grainy texture that deters predators.Unlike stony corals, most soft corals thrive in nutrient-rich waters with less light intensity. Almost all utilize
zooxanthella as a major energy source. However, most will readily eat any free floating food, such as brine shrimp, out of the water column.Many soft corals are easily collected in the wild for the reef aquarium hobby, as small cuttings are less prone to infection or damage during shipping than stony corals. Nevertheless, home-grown specimens are both more ecologically responsible and more practical. Soft corals grow quickly in captivity and are easily divided into new individuals, and so those grown via
aquaculture are often hardier and less expensive than imported corals from the wild.Related orders in the subclass
Alcyonaria includeSea pen s,Sea fan s,Sea whip s and xenias.
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