SCUBA Diving News

Fire corals are so called because of their powerful
stinging hairs or nematocysts. These are used primarily
for defence against fish like parrotfish which would
otherwise nibble the coral. However, they are strong
enough to injure divers who brush their skin against
them, causing burning and itching. If this happens
rinse with seawater and apply vinegar or methylated
alcohol on the affected area. In a severe case
anti-histamines can help, but seek medical advice.

Colonies of fire coral are extremely important in building
coral reefs. However, they are not true corals. They are,
in fact, hydroids. The word hydroid means water animals.
Other hydroids often look like ferny fronds growing from
rocks. The fire coral is different: it looks like a hard
coral.

Fire corals are yellowish to brown in colour, often with
white tips. There are several species, with different
growth forms. Some look like plates, some are encrusting
but maybe the most familiar is the branching form shown in
our photo (http://www.scubatravel.co.uk/firecoral.html).
You can identify them by the minute pores on the coral
surface.

Divers come across fire corals on reefs throughout the
world, in sheltered and exposed sites, in shallow and
deep water. They are often at the reef edge as they can
withstand rough waters. Look at the orientation of the
coral branches: they grow so as to minimise their
exposure to the waves.

Further Reading:
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The Red Sea in Egypt Part II, Farid S. Atiya, 977-00-6697-4


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