Crossword Genius

Sea life caught by the mouth (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

coral

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'sea life' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'caught by the mouth' is the wordplay.
'caught' becomes 'c' (cricket abbreviation).
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'the mouth' becomes 'oral' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'c'+'oral'='CORAL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for coral that I've seen before include "Marine growth" , "Reef-forming skeletons" , "Main resident" , "Tiny animal forming reef" , "Pink - lobster roe" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sunday Times and The Times.
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