Octocorallia: Soft Corals

ocean · coral · animals · eight-armed

Eight-armed colonies. Unlike hard corals, soft corals have eight tentacles on each polyp and they're all connected together as one big colony. These eight-fold bodies make soft corals look delicate and swaying, like underwater trees dancing with the currents.

Over 3,000 species. Soft corals come in thousands of different types, making them one of the biggest families of coral animals in the ocean. You can find them in many colors, sizes, and shapes, from tiny branches to giant fans.

Salt and brackish water. Most soft corals live in salty ocean water, but some species can survive in brackish water where rivers mix with the sea. This ability to handle different saltiness levels helps them live in more places than many other ocean creatures.

Colony living. Each soft coral is made up of many tiny animals called polyps living together as a team. When one polyp eats, it helps feed the entire colony, so they all depend on each other to survive.