Extensive plates of fire coral (Millepora dichotoma) with jewel fairy basslet (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) and - at the top of the picture - a coral grouper (Cephalopholis miniata: 20 cms.). The common name of fire coral is misleading, in that the species is not a true coral but rather is related to hydrozoans. However, the word "fire" is apt. The colony has many thousands of small hairs protruding from its surface, on which there are numerous nematocysts, which inject toxins into one's skin if one touches the organism. This causes a severe burning pain which can last for days. Egyptian Red Sea

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Size: 3089px × 4100px
Location: Near Hurghada, Egypt
Photo credit: © Terence Dormer / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: adventure, basslet, cephalopholis, coral, creation, dichotoma, diving, egypt, fairy, fire, grouper, jewel, life, marine, millepora, miniata, natural, pseudanthias, red, reef, scuba, sea, selection, severe, squamipinnis, stings, trd5143, underwater