Clavularia viridis

(Quoy & Gaimard, 1833)

Vernacular names
English : Palm tree polyps
French : Corail brocoli

Classification
Class : Anthozoa
Order : Malacalcyonacea
Family : Clavulariidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Colonies can grow up to more than 30 cm across. The base of the colony is an encrusting brown mat from which polyps arise. Polyps are elongated with 8 feathery arms. Coloration usually cream with green centers or beige-brown.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-pacific area, from Red Sea and East Africa to south Japan, north Australia and east to the Pacific islands and possibly Hawaii. Lives in coral reefs and rubble areas with exposition to tidal current, to 20 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : NOT LISTED
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species remains common and has a huge range but is still often collected for the aquarium trade. Locally affected by coral reef destruction.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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