Definition
The Order Alcyonaria encompasses soft corals and sea pens, known for their eight-tentacled polyps. Unlike their stony coral relatives, alcyonarians often lack a hard, calcium carbonate skeleton, resulting in a flexible body. Think of them as the gentle giants of the reef, swaying with the ocean's rhythm. ๐ They play a vital role in the reef ecosystem by providing habitat and filtering water. Their soft tissues contain symbiotic algae which provide energy.