3/A – Precious red coral - Corallium rubrum

Celenterate of the Gorgonacea order of which it is the only one to have a calcareous skeleton. This characteristic is the reason for its huge commercial popularity, a reputation that has led to its intensive exploitation, resulting in, obviously, a notable reduction in its presence in the Mediterranean basin, where it is an endemic species. It has a preference for hard beds and shaded areas; it is found in caves and ravines from 15 to over 100 meters deep. Its color is bright red and the polyps are white with eight finned tentacles.