Blade Fire Coral
Millepora complanata

f8 @ 1/60S, ASA 64, Ektachrome 64 slide film, Nikonos II w 15mm, Oceanic 2000 flash and Ikelite 225 slave flash

"Millepora complanata," Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Millepora complanata, commonly known as blade fire coral, is a species of fire coral in the family Milleporidae. It is found in shallow waters in the Caribbean Sea where it is a common species. Fire corals are colonial coral-like organisms that secrete calcareous skeletons. Colonies of Millepora complanata have an encrusting base and thin upright plates or blades growing to a height of about 50 centimeters (20 in). The plates of Millepora complanata grow perpendicular to the current direction, with some colonies not growing larger than the encrusted base if the current is too strong. The surface of the blades is smooth and the outer margins irregular, with many stumpy protrusions. This fire coral is pale brown or cream colored, with white tips to the blades. The feeding and defensive polyps are hair-like and project through fine pores on the surface of the blades. Contact with this fire coral by bare skin can cause a severe stinging sensation.

Salt River Canyon, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

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