Hydrocorals, often mistaken for true corals, are colonial marine animals belonging to the class Hydrozoa, most notably represented by the genus *Millepora*, commonly called fire corals. Unlike traditional fish, hydrocorals are not targeted for food but are sometimes harvested for the aquarium trade, scientific research, and, historically, for ornamental purposes. The primary countries involved in the collection of hydrocorals are generally those with extensive tropical and subtropical reef systems, such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and some Caribbean nations. These countries have developed small-scale industries around the collection and export of hydrocorals, primarily to supply the aquarium and curio markets in Europe, North America, and East Asia. However, due to their ecological importance as reef builders and their vulnerability to overharvesting and habitat destruction, many nations have implemented strict regulations or outright bans on hydrocoral collection, making their commercial harvest relatively limited compared to other marine resources.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.