Question

Organ pipe coral is

• A. Astraea
• B. Tubipora
• C. Fungia
• D. Meandrina

Answer 1

The correct option is B Tubipora

• Organ Pipe Coral is the common name of the Coelenterate animal Tubipora. This coral is predominantly found in relatively warm salt water of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
• This is a soft coral, but its skeleton is quite hard and comprises spicules made up of calcium carbonate. The spicules become fastened together to form rigid vertical tubes.
• These tubes structurally support the long, parallel upright polyps of the coral. Each polyp has eight feather-like tentacles. The tentacles of the polyps are bright green in colour. However, the skeleton is red or crimson coloured, due to the casting of iron salts.
• When the soft part of the coral dies, the skeleton looks like a bright colourful assemblage of tubes that resemble the Organ Pipes. Hence, the name Organ Pipe Coral.