 As an octocoral, each polyp contains eight tentacles with pinnules lining the tentacles, thus increasing surface area to maximize filtration.The use of phytoplankton by this species as its main energy source was determined through fluorescence microscopy, measurement of phaeopigments levels, and observation of phytoplankton accumulation in the gut of starved D. hemprichi.As catabolites of phytoplankton, phaeopigments are used to measure the amount of phytoplankton digested by the coral.