Black Cup Coral (15”x14”x8”) fig the ivory bush coral builds

the ivory bush coral builds a skeleton of calcium carbonate – a compound that will become increasingly more rare as the ocean acidifies (a phenomenon caused by the ocean’s absorption of acidic carbon dioxide from the atmosphere)

rather than with a toothed hinge as is more common in other bivalves

but also thanks to very special features that make this species truly remarkable

they are filter feeders

walls and slopes to depths of 30 m

Black Cup Coral (15”x14”x8”) fig the ivory bush coral buildsCup corals are non reef building species that inhabit shaded vertical surface and caverns down to great depths. There are only two species likely to be seen while scuba diving in Hawaii. They rely upon capturing zooplankton as food and extend beautiful translucent tentacles at night. Cup corals are also found in very cold water throughout the world. Coral is a wonderful accent piece for your beach or vacation home but is just a stunning in more