Hairy Mushroom Coral

Superpower

Can fold its disc around small prey and digest it like a slow, soft trap.

At a glance

Size

typically 5 cm, up to 20 cm

Depth

1–15 m

Habitat

Shallow reef flats, often in clusters.

Diet

Symbiotic algae plus tiny prey trapped on its surface.

Can I eat it?

No — this one is not eaten.

Safety

• Venomous1/10

  Mild sting; can trap and digest small prey.

Fun facts

• •Mushroom 'corals' of this type are actually closer to anemones.
• •Its surface is covered in short fuzzy tentacles.
• •It can occasionally close around and eat small shrimp.