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Coral is an animal, yes. Some coral eat zooplankton, others live off the algae in their cells. Some coral are stationary - they don't move. Others move, but very slowly, compared to, say, piranha. Many corals will throw out 'stingers', like jellyfish, to harm other corals coming too close to their 'space'. Other corals have defenses to keep fish from eating them - poisonous tentacles, for one. You've heard of the sea anemone? Stings everybody except clownfish - and that's only because the clownfish has a protective coating against the stinging cells. Clown gets a nice home and the anemone gets food from the clown.

As for its status as an animal in the overall order, I don't know. It's definitely more like a jellyfish than a salmon, but that's about as much as I know.

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Very good answer!! I know that they don't have a central nervous system, so they don't have the concept of pain, but they are animal. Most of the corals will also eat meaty foods. ie Mysis Shrimp,Brine Shrimp, Ground up seafood(blender mush). As far as personality, they truely have days when they're just not happy. I have a Fiji Leather that shrivels up for a day every time I put my hand in the tank, even if I'm no where near him. Lighting and amount of flow play MAJOR parts in their happiness. IME mushrooms will move to anywhere other than where you want them!

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Thanks.... I'm planning on majoring in marine studies with a minor in earth sciences. If I wanna put ecosystems back to full health, I better know something about the ocean.

LOL, sounds like your corals are an handful.