Jon Chamberlain - Photographer and Web Designer

Plate Fire Coral

This picture of Plate Fire Coral (Millepora platyphylla) was taken whilst on a safety stop after another amazing dive in the Red Sea.

Medusa of the sea

Hydrozoans (such as Plate Fire Coral) produce medusae during their sexual generation cycle. Often mistaken for jellyfish, they ride the currents and colonise rocks and dead coral to form new coral systems.

Reef builders

Plate Fire Coral can grow to up to 60cms in height and are crucial to the formation of reefs. They host other corals, such as Christmas tree worms, molluscs and bivalves.

Although coral have stinging cells that can cause painful burn-like wounds, the sting of Plate Fire Coral is not severe.