Cup Coral

Coastal Habitats

Animals of the Nearshore Waters 

Cup Coral

Phyllangia americana

Cup corals, not quite the size of a dime, live in small groups in shallow water. They don't build reefs like many other corals. During the night, the brown or red coral polyps sweep tiny bits of food out of the water. Come daylight, the polyps retreat into their cups to keep from being eaten by other animals.

Animals of the Nearshore Waters

Learn more by clicking on the links below.

Brown Tube Sponge

Red Boring Sponge

Red-Orange Encrusting Sponge

Tree Oyster

Ivory Bush Coral

Cup Coral

Pearly Red Encrusting Bryozoan

Black Drum

Crevalle Jack

Florida Pompano

Sand Seatrout

Tarpon

Gulf Kingfish

Southern Kingfish

Spot

Pigfish

Select a coastal habitat:

• Salt Marshes
• Bays and Estuaries
• Jetties
• Nearshore Waters
• Gulf Waters