4. The Sun Coral (Tubastraea coccinea)
A real wonder of the undersea world, the Sun Coral is brilliant orange and fashioned like a tiny sun. This species is really unique in that it can flourish without sunlight. The Sun Coral is azooxanthellate, hence it does not house the photosynthetic organisms unlike most coral species that depend on symbiotic algae for nourishment. Rather, it depends totally on gathering plankton and tiny creatures using its tentacles for food. This special adaption enables the Sun Coral to live in places like cave ceilings, undersides of ledges, and even deep-water environments—where other corals cannot thrive. Originally from the Indo-Pacific area, the Sun Coral has become an invading species in some areas of the Atlantic Ocean as well. Its successful colonising of new habitats is due in great part to its capacity to flourish in a variety of settings and fast reproduction. Although from a biological perspective this flexibility is remarkable, it also presents difficulties for natural ecosystems. The special physiology of the Sun Coral is under investigation by scientists in order to better grasp how coral might survive without photosynthetic symbionts. This study might shed important light on coral evolution and possible survival techniques under different ocean environments. Though ethical questions surround its collecting and potential for invasiveness, the species is a popular option in the aquarium trade due in great part to its vivid colouration and odd growth patterns.