General Description
Solitary coral. Colour variable, including orange, blue or purple. Tentacles shaded in similar colours but always transparent, revealing the stinging cells (nematocysts) embedded in the tissue. Trunk up to 4 cm wide.
Biology
This species of coral does not have zooxanthellae and consequently it is not reliant on sunlight for food. It captures plankton for food.
Distribution
Pacific Islands. South-eastern Australian coasts.
Habitat
Low-light areas, overhangs and caves, to depth of 128 m.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Transparent tentacles, solitary.
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Colours
Orange, Red, Purple, White
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Habitats
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Diet
Plankton or Particles
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
CITES: Trade restrictions (Appendix II), FFG Threatened List: Not listed, DSE Advisory List: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
Deep ( > 30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
Milne Edwards; Haime, 1848
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Common Name
Solitary Coral
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Phylum
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
bairdiana