PHYLUM: Cnidaria
CLASS: Anthozoa
SPECIES: Paracyathis stearnsi
COMMON NAME: Brown Cup Coral
Most people associate corals with warm tropical waters. It's true that the coral reefs that are so popular as dive sites are strictly tropical. However, even in the chilly waters of Monterey Bay, we have corals.
Paracyathis is one of three species of solitary, non-reef-building or ahermatypic coral common along the Central California coast. These are true stony corals, just like the species that do build reefs. Of the three, Paracyathis is the largest, reaching 4cm in diameter.
Unlike individuals of the other two species, individual Paracyathis are commonly found alone. They are usually on verticle rock surfaces, often those that have a slight overhang, at least 2-3ft. above the sand.
The skeleton of this species, like those of tropical corals, is made of calcium carbonate. It forms a single cup, or corallite, with many paper-thin partitions dividing the inside.