Fire corals are colonial coral-like organisms that secrete calcareous skeletons. Colonies of Millepora complanata have an encrusting base and thin upright plates or blades growing to a height of about 50 centimetres (20 in). Th… See more

Millepora complanata has a widespread distribution in the Caribbean Sea. It often grows in areas with vigorous water movement and turbid waters, and is tolerant of siltation. See more

Some of the polyps of Millepora complanata are dactylozooids with hair-like processes and stinging cells that detect the presence of zooplankton and help entrap it. The nematocyst in the dactylozooid is discharged … See more