Family Corallimorphidae

Corallimorpharia occurring in shallow and deep seas. Deep-sea forms solitary; most shallow-water forms clonal as a result of asexual reproduction by longitudinal fission or pedal laceration. Zooxanthellae absent. Consistency supple to stiff and cartilaginous. Tentacles simple, with acrospheres. Alternate marginal tentacles endocoelic and exocoelic; discal tentacles (all of which communicate with endocoels) may be arrayed radially and in cycles; at least two tentacles communicate with each older endocoel. Directive mesenteries usually present; marginal sphincter muscle present or absent. Spirocysts present, usually numerous.