[12] When the tidal currents are coming in, coral polyps extend to actively feed on the organic matter being brought in with the tide.

After the tide has gone out and the currents aren't bringing in as much organic matter, the coral polyps retract to digest the food or be inactive.

[13] Furthermore, P. arborea is often found growing in a concave shape facing into the current, which is a growth strategy thought to allow the coral to receive food more effectively.

It has been found to have a host-specific microbiome and an external surface mucopolysaccharide layer (SML), which is a mucus that acts as a defense against water-borne pathogens and helps the coral filter feed.

[10] Paragorgia arborea is often associated with the Gorgon's Head basket star Gorgonocephalus caputmedusae, which uses it as a perch on which to catch plankton drifting past.

[15] It sometimes forms dense coral gardens with other octocorals, such as Primnoa resedaeformis, Paramuricea grandis and Keratoisis ornata and the sea pen Pennatula borealis.

Human activities that disturb the ocean bottom, including trawling by commercial fisheries, offshore oil extraction, deep sea mining, and cable laying, are the most prominent threats.