How big is the Red coral?

Red coral (Corallium rubrum) reaches 5–30 cm in length.

At what depth can you find the Red coral?

Red coral is found between 15–200 m deep.

Red coral (Corallium rubrum)

Key facts

Scientific name: Corallium rubrum
Common name: Red coral
Category: Corals
Family: Coralliidae
Size: 5–30 cm
Depth: 15–200 m
IUCN status: Endangered (EN)
Danger level: Harmless
Habitats: rocky wall, cave, overhang
Behaviours: sessile, colonial
Ocean zones: Mediterranean

Description

Red coral is a slow-growing colonial organism found on rocky walls, caves and overhangs in the Mediterranean Sea. Its skeleton of calcium carbonate is a deep, vivid red that has been prized in jewellery for millennia. Colonies grow just a few millimetres per year, making them extremely vulnerable to harvesting. Today the species is protected across most of its range and listed as Endangered. Divers lucky enough to spot it should admire from a distance and never touch it.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Red coral?: Red coral (Corallium rubrum) reaches 5–30 cm in length.
At what depth can you find the Red coral?: Red coral is found between 15–200 m deep.
Is the Red coral dangerous to divers?: Danger level: Harmless.
What is the conservation status of the Red coral?: IUCN status: Endangered (EN).
Where can you find the Red coral?: Found in: Mediterranean.

Similar species

Sources

Conservation: IUCN Red List
Encyclopedia: Wikipedia