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The Faulkner’s Soft Coral (Tubastrea faulkneri) is also commonly referred to as the ‘Orange Sun Coral’, particularly by aquarium enthusiasts as it is a very popular aquarium species. The name 'Tubastrea' comes from the Latin words for tube (tubus) and star (astron). This word describes the animal’s skeletal structure, which is tubular, with stars at the tip of each tube. Tubastrea species are often commonly referred to as ‘Sunflower Corals’ and all belong to the family Dendrophyliidae. This species has a broad distribution throughout the warm tropical waters of the Indo-western Pacific region and can be found on long vertical walls and overhangs of rocky and coral reefs. The base of the species is pink whilst the polyps are yellow-orange in colour. The polyps of the species emerge on dusk or during night and it is a filter feeder taking small particles from the water.
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