Blue Ridge Coral
Blue coral, usually called blue ridge coral, is called blue because of the color of its skeleton. It is an octacoral that produces a solid structure made from aragonite, a form of calcium carbonate. Octacorals are usually soft corals. The blue color comes from iron infused in the aragonite. Because of its color, it is easy to identify in fossils from as far back as the Cretaceous. Blue Ridge Coral (Heliopora coerulea). Many forms have flat blades. If you have one, please post a picture below.
Here is a sample of the coral skeleton
Can you see the fish in the live coral?
And here is what a reef of these corals looks like.
There's probably more than one species of blue ridge coral, Heliopora Heliopora/Blue Ridge, New Species, News Reef Builders | The Reef and Marine Aquarium Blog
Heliopora - Bing video
Underwater shot, dolly shot of Blue coral in Oura Bay, which is home... Stock Footage Video | Getty Images
Blue coral, usually called blue ridge coral, is called blue because of the color of its skeleton. It is an octacoral that produces a solid structure made from aragonite, a form of calcium carbonate. Octacorals are usually soft corals. The blue color comes from iron infused in the aragonite. Because of its color, it is easy to identify in fossils from as far back as the Cretaceous. Blue Ridge Coral (Heliopora coerulea). Many forms have flat blades. If you have one, please post a picture below.
Here is a sample of the coral skeleton
Can you see the fish in the live coral?
And here is what a reef of these corals looks like.
There's probably more than one species of blue ridge coral, Heliopora Heliopora/Blue Ridge, New Species, News Reef Builders | The Reef and Marine Aquarium Blog
Heliopora - Bing video
Underwater shot, dolly shot of Blue coral in Oura Bay, which is home... Stock Footage Video | Getty Images