The lettuce coral (Agaricia agaricites), also known as the tan lettuce-leaf coral, is a member of the Cnidaria phylum under the order Scleractinia of the family Agariciidae. They are stony corals found in colonies with their distribution across the shallower waters of the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean.The lettuce coral has a hard, stony exterior with corallites formed in rows on the plates, while some are single with pointed ridges in between. The polyps retract into the corallite and extend at night to trap plankton. These stony corals are also referred as ‘coral weed’ because they actively form new colonies on open regions of reef. These corals can reproduce through fission as well as sexually. They release larvae into the water when they are around 4.2 in (10.8 cm) in size.The cactus coral or lettuce coral (Agaricia agaricites) habitat is found in shallow back reef regions, reef platforms, channels, seagrass beds, lagoons, and fore reefs. This species is found at a depth of around 246 ft (75 m). The IUCN has assessed this coral and has given the Least Concern conservation status.If you enjoy reading about Cnidarians, check out the moon jellyfish and immortal jellyfish.
Fun Lettuce Coral Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Plankton
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? N/A
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 35.4 in (90 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Purple-brown stony corals in colonies that branch into irregular, plate-like projections covered in corallites
Skin Type Stony, hard exterior
What were their main threats? Predators
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Lagoons, Seagrass Beds, Shallow Reefs, Channels, Reef Platforms
Locations Caribbean, Gulf Of Mexico, South Florida, Western Atlantic, Northern Parts Of South America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Agaricia
Class Anthozoa
Family Agariciidae
Lettuce Coral Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is the lettuce coral?This species is a type of stony coral from the family Agariciidae, found in colonies, and is covered in corallites on its exposed thin, ridge-like plates.What class of animal does the lettuce coral belong to?The lettuce coral (Agaricia agaricites) belong to the class of Anthozoa under the family Agariciidae.How many lettuce corals are there in the world?Lettuce corals are found widespread in the shallow waters of the Atlantic and Caribbean, but their exact numbers are unknown.Where does the lettuce coral live?Lettuce corals (Agaricia agaricites) are found in the Caribbean Sea, the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico, and Florida. These corals have also been spotted along the Brazilian coast and around the Rocas Atoll and Fernando de Noronha Islands.What is the lettuce coral’s habitat?The lettuce coral habitat ranges from the shallow waters of back and fore reef regions and seagrass meadows to lagoons and channels, usually at a depth of 246 ft (75 m).Who do lettuce corals live with?The lettuce-leaf coral lives alone but branches further to form colonies.How long does a lettuce coral live?The exact lifespan of these corals is unknown, but research has proven that they are a short-lived species.How do they reproduce?The lettuce coral (Agaricia agaricites) can reproduce through the fission (budding growth) as well as sexually, like many basic corals. In the case of fission, the polyps of this species bud or split up to form new colonies with the replica of the parent’s polyps genetic makeup. Like many species of this phylum, the cactus coral releases planulae larvae when water temperatures are warmer during the spring to summer season. When these species are around 4.25 in (10.8 cm) in size, it starts shedding the larvae that later find a suitable site to develop into polyps.What is their conservation status?These are common and dominant corals in certain regions and this is why the IUCN has given a status of Least Concern to this species.Lettuce Coral Fun FactsWhat do lettuce corals look like?The type, depth, and flow velocity of the water in which tan lettuce-leaf corals live determine its appearance. As a result of these variations, this species is found in irregular forms. These stony corals are found in several colors like brownish-green, brown-purple, or faded yellow-orange. This species is sensitive to environmental factors such as currents and light intensity. This is why it forms crusts of corallites on its thin, exposed ridge-like plates. This forms thin, irregular ridges. They have goblets that have a width around 0.04-0.62 in (1-1.6 mm) and have a deep but barely noticeable columella with 16 septa. This growth also houses the polyps. In harsh waters, the colonies of this coral species are usually small and spherical due to the water conditions.How cute are they?The tan lettuce-leaf coral (Agaricia agaricites) is most certainly a fine-looking stony marine creature. However, its description would not fit the standards of something cute.How do they communicate?There is no evidence that tan lettuce-leaf corals (Agaricia agaricites) can communicate.How big is the lettuce coral?The lettuce coral is around 35.4 in (90 cm), which means it is three times bigger than the fire coral and half the size of a full-grown brain coral.Can lettuce coral move?No, the cactus or lettuce coral (Agaricia agaricites) is stationary and attached to reef ridges. However, their larvae can move around after being shed and form new colonies. Similarly, the polyps of this species extend out in the night to capture plankton.How much does the lettuce coral weigh?The weight of the cactus or lettuce coral is unknown.What are the male and female names of the species?The lettuce coral (Agaricia agaricites) is a hermaphrodite, meaning they do not have a separate male and female. Therefore, there are no separate names either. However, these corals have other names such as cactus coral, tan lettuce-leaf coral, and potato chip coral.What would you call a baby lettuce coral?The structures formed during fission can be called coral buds, but when sexually reproduced, the young are called larvae.What do they eat?The tan lettuce-leaf coral (Agaricia agaricites) food usually depends on the water currents and the available or organic water in the flow. Like the sea anemone, these corals have dinoflagellates in their tissues that carry out the process of photosynthesis. This provides this organism with around 70-95 percent of its energy requirements. The polyps capture zooplankton by extending during the night. When kept in captivity, these stony reef corals can be fed rotifers, cyclops, and freshly hatched brine shrimp.Are they harmful?The tan lettuce-leaf coral species (Agaricia agaricites) from the Caribbean waters is sold as a captive coral and is not harmful in nature.Would they make a good pet?Although not very common and best left in the sea, the lettuce coral (Agaricia agaricites) can be kept in captivity in some countries. However, they require good care with sufficient lighting using metal halides to facilitate healthy growth.Did you know…The main predator of the lettuce coral is the crown-of-thorns sea star.Why is it called the lettuce coral?Lettuce coral growth is observed in patterns similar to that of a lettuce leaf and this is how this species from the family Agariciidae got its name.Is it illegal to sell coral?In some countries, selling corals is legal, but some species are protected under domestic, state, or even international environmental laws based on their conservation statuses.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other Anthozoa from our sea anemone facts and giant green anemone facts pages.You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable sea anemone coloring pages.
What type of animal is the lettuce coral?
This species is a type of stony coral from the family Agariciidae, found in colonies, and is covered in corallites on its exposed thin, ridge-like plates.
Fun Lettuce Coral Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Plankton
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? N/A
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 35.4 in (90 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Purple-brown stony corals in colonies that branch into irregular, plate-like projections covered in corallites
Skin Type Stony, hard exterior
What were their main threats? Predators
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Lagoons, Seagrass Beds, Shallow Reefs, Channels, Reef Platforms
Locations Caribbean, Gulf Of Mexico, South Florida, Western Atlantic, Northern Parts Of South America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Agaricia
Class Anthozoa
Family Agariciidae
Fun Lettuce Coral Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Plankton
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? N/A
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 35.4 in (90 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Purple-brown stony corals in colonies that branch into irregular, plate-like projections covered in corallites
Skin Type Stony, hard exterior
What were their main threats? Predators
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Lagoons, Seagrass Beds, Shallow Reefs, Channels, Reef Platforms
Locations Caribbean, Gulf Of Mexico, South Florida, Western Atlantic, Northern Parts Of South America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Agaricia
Class Anthozoa
Family Agariciidae
Fun Lettuce Coral Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Plankton
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? N/A
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 35.4 in (90 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Purple-brown stony corals in colonies that branch into irregular, plate-like projections covered in corallites
Skin Type Stony, hard exterior
What were their main threats? Predators
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Lagoons, Seagrass Beds, Shallow Reefs, Channels, Reef Platforms
Locations Caribbean, Gulf Of Mexico, South Florida, Western Atlantic, Northern Parts Of South America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Agaricia
Class Anthozoa
Family Agariciidae
Fun Lettuce Coral Facts For Kids
What do they prey on? Plankton
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? N/A
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 35.4 in (90 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Purple-brown stony corals in colonies that branch into irregular, plate-like projections covered in corallites
Skin Type Stony, hard exterior
What were their main threats? Predators
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Lagoons, Seagrass Beds, Shallow Reefs, Channels, Reef Platforms
Locations Caribbean, Gulf Of Mexico, South Florida, Western Atlantic, Northern Parts Of South America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Agaricia
Class Anthozoa
Family Agariciidae
What do they prey on? Plankton
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? N/A
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 35.4 in (90 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Purple-brown stony corals in colonies that branch into irregular, plate-like projections covered in corallites
Skin Type Stony, hard exterior
What were their main threats? Predators
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Lagoons, Seagrass Beds, Shallow Reefs, Channels, Reef Platforms
Locations Caribbean, Gulf Of Mexico, South Florida, Western Atlantic, Northern Parts Of South America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Agaricia
Class Anthozoa
Family Agariciidae
What do they prey on? Plankton
What do they eat? Omnivore
Average litter size? N/A
How much do they weigh? N/A
How long are they? 35.4 in (90 cm)
How tall are they? N/A
What do they look like? Purple-brown stony corals in colonies that branch into irregular, plate-like projections covered in corallites
Skin Type Stony, hard exterior
What were their main threats? Predators
What is their conservation status? Least Concern
What do they prey on?
Plankton
What do they eat?
Omnivore
Average litter size?
N/A
How much do they weigh?
How long are they?
35.4 in (90 cm)
How tall are they?
N/A
What do they look like?
Purple-brown stony corals in colonies that branch into irregular, plate-like projections covered in corallites
Skin Type
Stony, hard exterior
What were their main threats?
Predators
What is their conservation status?
Least Concern
Where you’ll find them? Lagoons, Seagrass Beds, Shallow Reefs, Channels, Reef Platforms
Locations Caribbean, Gulf Of Mexico, South Florida, Western Atlantic, Northern Parts Of South America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Agaricia
Class Anthozoa
Family Agariciidae
Where you’ll find them?
Lagoons, Seagrass Beds, Shallow Reefs, Channels, Reef Platforms
Locations
Caribbean, Gulf Of Mexico, South Florida, Western Atlantic, Northern Parts Of South America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Agaricia
Kingdom
Animalia
Genus
Agaricia
Class Anthozoa
Family Agariciidae
