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Briareum Coral

Briareum genus

Briareum Coral

Briareum genus
Other Common Names
Star Polyps
At the Aquarium
Connected Coasts
Other Common Names
Star Polyps

At the Aquarium

Connected Coasts

Appearance

These corals are characterized by having many branching long spindles. Braiarium are soft corals and do not build a hard skeleton. Individual appearances vary based on environmental conditions

Habitat

Well-lit shallow waters

Diet

Symbiotic zooxanthellae live inside of the briareum coral. This algae photosynthesizes and gives the nutrition to the briareum in exchange for a safe

Life History

Corals engage in broadcast spawning. Both halves of the process are released into the ocean and eggs drift in the water column. They eventually settle to the seafloor and grow into new coral polyps.

IUCN Status

Not Evaluated

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Corals act as homes for symbiotic zooxanthellae. They provide protection to the zooxanthellae in exchange for nutrients.

A species of briareum coral named green star polyp is common for home aquariums
Range
Indo-Pacific and Atlantic
On the Oregon Coast
This animal is not native to the Oregon Coast, however is found in the larger Pacific Ocean. It lives in the Aquarium as part of our Connected Coasts gallery.
Fun Facts
The name briareum seemingly comes from the ancient Greek giant named Briareus. This giant had 100 hands which parallels the many branching spindles of this coral.

Citations & Other Resources

  • Samimi-Namin K, van Ofwegen LP (2016) Overview of the genus Briareum (Cnidaria, Octocorallia, Briareidae) in the Indo-Pacific, with the description of a new species. ZooKeys 557: 1-44. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.557.6298
  • WoRMS Editorial Board (2026). World Register of Marine Species. Available from https://www.marinespecies.org at VLIZ. Accessed 2026-03-24. doi:10.14284/170
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Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

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