Black & Wire/Whip Coral Pictures
Members of the Octocorillea subclass, Antipathidae family, here are photos and pictures of what are commonly named Black, and Wire or Whip Corals. Some of the most rare, intricate, and beautiful species in the world, these soft corals live in widely spread colonies at depths to which the average diver never descends, and therefore are seldom seen.
Black Coral Photo 1
Displayed with permission at About Saltwater Aquariums, a photo of a Black Coral Antipathes grandis specimen taken on the Molokini Back Wall in Hawai'i at 90 feet by Keoki and Yuko Stender.
Displayed with permission at About Saltwater Aquariums, a photo of a Black Coral Antipathes grandis specimen taken on the Molokini Back Wall in Hawai'i at 90 feet by Keoki and Yuko Stender.
Black Coral Photo 2
Another shot of a Black Coral Antipathes grandis specimen taken by Keoki and Yuko Stender, but on Keoki's Pinnacle at 130 feet.
Another shot of a Black Coral Antipathes grandis specimen taken by Keoki and Yuko Stender, but on Keoki's Pinnacle at 130 feet.
Black Coral Photo 3
This Black Coral photo is of a Antipathes dichotomaspecimen taken on Portlock in Midway at 25 feet by Keoki and Yuko Stender.
This Black Coral photo is of a Antipathes dichotomaspecimen taken on Portlock in Midway at 25 feet by Keoki and Yuko Stender.
Feathery Black Coral Photo 1
One of the more delicate looking Black Corals, this Feathery Antipathes ulex species photo was taken by Keoki and Yuko Stender on Keioki's Pinnacle at 100 feet.
One of the more delicate looking Black Corals, this Feathery Antipathes ulex species photo was taken by Keoki and Yuko Stender on Keioki's Pinnacle at 100 feet.
Feathery Black Coral Photo 2
Another shot of the Feathery Black Coral Antipathes ulex specimen taken by Keoki and Yuko Stender on Keioki's Pinnacle at 100 feet.
Another shot of the Feathery Black Coral Antipathes ulex specimen taken by Keoki and Yuko Stender on Keioki's Pinnacle at 100 feet.
Precious Black Coral Photo 1
Displayed by permission at About Saltwater Aquariums, a photo of a Precious Black Coral Antipathes sp. specimen taken on Portlock at 40 feet by Keoki and Yuko Stender off Chromis, Midway.
Displayed by permission at About Saltwater Aquariums, a photo of a Precious Black Coral Antipathes sp. specimen taken on Portlock at 40 feet by Keoki and Yuko Stender off Chromis, Midway.
Precious Black Coral Photo 2
Another shot of the Precious Black Coral Antipathes sp. specimen on Portlock at 40 feet taken by Keoki and Yuko Stender off Chromis, Midway.
Another shot of the Precious Black Coral Antipathes sp. specimen on Portlock at 40 feet taken by Keoki and Yuko Stender off Chromis, Midway.
Wire Coral Photo 1
Usually found at deeper depths on cliffs in high current areas, this Wire Coral Cirrhipathes anguina photo was taken by Keoki and Yuko Stender at Haleiwa Harbor in Hawai'i at 25 feet. Tiny Pontonides unciger shrimps inhabit this coral species, but are extremely difficult to spot when the coral polyps are extended. Look closely!
Usually found at deeper depths on cliffs in high current areas, this Wire Coral Cirrhipathes anguina photo was taken by Keoki and Yuko Stender at Haleiwa Harbor in Hawai'i at 25 feet. Tiny Pontonides unciger shrimps inhabit this coral species, but are extremely difficult to spot when the coral polyps are extended. Look closely!
Wire Coral Photo 2
Another Wire Coral Cirrhipathes anguina photo taken by Keoki and Yuko Stender of this specimen at Haleiwa Harbor in Hawai'i at 25 feet.
Another Wire Coral Cirrhipathes anguina photo taken by Keoki and Yuko Stender of this specimen at Haleiwa Harbor in Hawai'i at 25 feet.
Wire Coral Photo 3
The most common animal associated with this coral, a pair of Bryaninops yongei Gobies will remove living tissue off the coral and deposit their eggs, which often leads to the decline or fragmentation of the host. This photo was taken at the same time and location by Keoki and Yuko Stender as the others.
The most common animal associated with this coral, a pair of Bryaninops yongei Gobies will remove living tissue off the coral and deposit their eggs, which often leads to the decline or fragmentation of the host. This photo was taken at the same time and location by Keoki and Yuko Stender as the others.