Corallium rubrum

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Red coral
French : Corail rouge

Classification
Class : Anthozoa
Order : Scleralcyonacea
Family : Coralliidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Colonies can grow up to 50 cm although they are more often around 20 cm. External skeleton is bright red to pinkish (when occurring in deep water) and usually branching. Highly visible white polyps located on the whole colony.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the eastern Atlantic, from Portugal to Cape Verde Islands and in western Mediterranean sea. Lives in rocky bottoms, usually near vertical cliffs, caves or crevices, to 400 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED (previously listed as Endangered)
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is in trouble because of global warming and global overcollection for jewellery industry.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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