[4] A. haimei inhabits depths from sea level to at least 53 m (174 ft), typically dwelling on vertical rock faces with moderate to high water flow.

The column and oral disc are typically orange in color, but darker shades of brown are not unusual.

[2] When an individual's tentacles are withdrawn, the cup shape of the corallite, as well as the simple, radiating ridges of its septa, become more apparent.

[citation needed] Astrangia haimei reproduces via stolons, like other members of the family Rhizangiidae.

Like other polyp-form members of the phylum Cnidaria, Haimei's cup coral is a sessile organism, relying on underwater currents to carry edible plankton within reach of its sticky, stinging tentacles.