Orange cup coral
Tubastraea coccinea
Sighting evidence at SS Stavronikita, Barbados
Photo: David R · CC BY-NC
Orange cup coral is an invasive species in the Caribbean, originating from the Pacific and spreading via hull fouling on ships. On the Stavronikita it has colonized every interior surface and much of the hull exterior, creating a vivid orange landscape that is genuinely spectacular by torchlight. Its rapid growth and asexual budding strategy allows it to outcompete native corals on hard substrates, making shipwrecks ideal habitat.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Orange cup coral is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.