Aphanipathidae

Aphanipathidae is a family of corals in the order Antipatharia. Species in this family have short, blunt polyp tentacles that tend to be uniform. Spines range from conical to cylindrical and usually have conical tubercles. Unlike Antipathidae, species in this family are not notched or branched at the end.

Aphanipathes is a diverse genus of black corals in the family Aphanipathidae, typified by large polypar spines. However, there are some disagreement in the correct taxonomic classification of this genus. The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) classifies Aphanipathes as being a genus of the family Aphanipathidae while the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) classifies it as a genus of the family Antipathidae.

Acanothopathes is a genus of coral in the family Aphanipathidae that contains five species. Species in this genus are found in the Caribbean Sea, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean in temperatures ranging from about 10 to 30 degrees celsius at depths from 50 to 400 meters.