There are two different types of corals
Hard Corals known as scleractinians
Soft Corals know as gorgonians
Notes:
There are two main types of corals; hard corals composed of stony
calcium carbonate, and soft corals made up of a protien/calcium
carbonate material. Scleractinians, or hard corals such as brain, star,
staghorn, elkhorn and pillar corals have rigid exoskeletons, or corallites,
that protect their soft delicate bodies. Gorgonians, or soft corals
such as sea fans, sea whips and sea rods, sway with the currents and