Devonshire Cup Coral

Caryophyllia smithii

The Devonshire cup coral (Caryophyllia smithii) is a solitary, non-reef-building stony coral found throughout the northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. Adults grow to about 3 cm in diameter and 1.5 cm tall, with a cup-shaped calcareous skeleton surrounded by up to 80 translucent tentacles that can be white, green, pink, or orange with contrasting tips. Unlike tropical reef corals, it does not rely on symbiotic algae and thrives in low-light conditions on rocky walls, overhangs, and wrecks at depths of 1-100 meters. It feeds by capturing small planktonic organisms with its stinging tentacles, which are typically extended at night or in areas with strong currents. Each polyp is a separate individual, though they often occur in dense aggregations covering rock surfaces. Their delicate beauty and variety of colors make them one of the most rewarding macro photography subjects in temperate waters, particularly when tentacles are fully extended.