Cirrhipathes
Cirrhipathes is a genus of black coral from the family Antipathidae. Coral species in this genus are commonly known as whip or wire corals because they often exhibit a twisted or coiled morphology. In addition to their colorful appearance, with colors ranging from yellow to red passing through blue and green, these species possess a dark skeleton that is characteristic to every black coral. Distribution. Commonly found in tropical and subtropical areas, these corals are part of the reefs in the Indian and Pacific oceans, at depths greater than . Long and unbranched, "Cirrhipathes" species are attached to coral reefs . Description. Like all corals, "Cirrhipathes" species are made of and covered by polyps. These polyps are responsible for providing defense and feeding mechanisms in the form of stinging structures known as nematocysts. These structures, which are present in their tentacles, are fired at preys or predators. The characteristic barbed-wire-like appearance of "Cirrhipathes" species is the result of their inability to completely retract their polyps. They can grow up to more than three meters in length. Corals in this genus have different ways of obtaining nutrients. While some species obtain nutrients from their mutualistic interaction with photosynthetic zooxanthellae, others  obtain their food by simply capturing small floating animals with their tentacles. From their interaction with the zooxanthellae, the "Cirrhipathes" obtain essential molecules and in return, protection and access to sunlight are provided to the zooxanthellae. Furthermore, important habitats that house numerous species of marine organisms are formed by these corals. It is even believed that the survival of two species of shrimp depends entirely on these corals.