Blue Coral
Heliopora coerulea
Blue coral is a species of colonial coral. It is the only octocoral known to produce a massive skeleton.
40
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_coral
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Cnidaria
Class
Anthozoa
Order
Scleralcyonacea
Family
Helioporidae
Genus
Heliopora
Blue Coral belongs to the family Helioporidae, order Scleralcyonacea, within the Anthozoa class.
Species Profile
Blue coral is a species of colonial coral. It is the only octocoral known to produce a massive skeleton. This skeleton is formed of aragonite, similar to that of scleractinia. Individual polyps live in tubes within the skeleton and are connected by a thin layer of tissue over the outside of the skeleton.
Blue Coral faces significant threats from ocean warming and acidification, which compromise its calcium carbonate skeleton formation and overall health. Coastal development, pollution, and destructive fishing practices further degrade its shallow reef habitats across the Indo-Pacific region.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Blue Coral inhabits shallow tropical reef environments and lagoons throughout the Indo-Pacific, typically found in areas with strong water movement at depths ranging from the intertidal zone to approximately 65 meters.
Threats
Climate change and ocean warming
Coastal development and habitat destruction
Ocean acidification
Destructive fishing practices
Water pollution and sedimentation
Found in 40 Countries
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Blue Coral (Heliopora coerulea). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/blue-coral