Fire Corals

• Biological Nature: Despite their name, fire corals are more closely related to jellyfish than to true corals. When touched, they cause a burning sensation similar to a jellyfish sting due to their stinging cells.
• Habitat: Fire corals are typically found in murky inshore waters, showing a high tolerance for siltation. However, they are also observed in clear offshore environments.
• Geographical Distribution: Historically present in regions such as Indonesia, the Gulf of Chiriquí (Panama), and the Pacific Province, fire corals are now believed to be possibly extinct in several countries including Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Panama, Singapore, and Thailand.
• Threats: Fire corals face serious threats from over-collection for ornamental and jewelry purposes. Additionally, they are highly sensitive to rising sea temperatures, and are thought to have vanished from many marine ecosystems due to global warming-induced coral bleaching.