Queensland Museum scientists released the findings today, identifying the jewel-coloured creatures as a new species that isn’t found anywhere else on the planet.

Queensland Museum Collection Manager of Sessile Marine Invertebrates, Dr Merrick Ekins, along with scientists from the Tel Aviv University in Israel, the Hervey Mudd College in America, and Naturalis in Holland, successfully proved the creatures were a new species of marine animals.

Queensland Museum Collection Manager of Sessile Marine Invertebrates, Dr Merrick Ekins. (Image supplied)

“This particular Sunshine Coast octocoral, was previously known as Sansibia, but upon further examination, we found it to be a new species,” Ekins said.

“I decided to name this species Opalia as the colour resembles the inner fire you see in opals and it’s so beautiful.”

Under the findings, published in the journal Zootaxa, Opalia is classified as a cnidarian.

Cnidarian are the group of around 9,000 types of marine animals including corals, jellyfish, sea anemones, octocorals, sea pens, sea whips and sea fans.

Queensland Museum Network CEO Dr Jim Thompson said the discovery may surprise many residents and visitors to the Sunshine Coast where the creatures are common.

“The work of a scientist is to question and investigate the world around us,” Thompson said.

“I am sure many residents of the Sunshine Coast have seen these beautiful octocorals while exploring the intertidal pools at the beach, not knowing they were unique to this part of the world.

“This is just another example of how science is continuing to evolve and new technology can aide with the description or in this case the re-description of new species.”