[1][2] Commonly found in tropical and subtropical areas, these corals are part of the reefs in the Indian and Pacific oceans, sometimes as shallow as 15 metres (49 ft) but often at depths greater than 50 metres (160 ft).

These polyps are responsible for providing defense and feeding mechanisms in the form of stinging structures known as nematocysts.

The characteristic barbed-wire-like appearance of Cirrhipathes species is the result of their inability to completely retract their polyps.

When kept in aquariums, wire corals being carnivorous organisms should be fed on small, meaty items such as baby brine, rotifers, cyclop-eeze, fish eggs, and other zooplankton feeds.

Furthermore, important habitats that house numerous species of marine organisms are formed by these corals.