Saltwater, Gorgonians. Most shallow reef environments. It has long, grass-like polyps which are normally extended continuously, retracted only when disturbed. It is highly photosynthetic, containing the symbiotic algae zooxanthellae from which it receives most of its nutrients, but may also capture some particulate matter. Gorgonean with several upright cylindrical branches with a common base. Remarkable long polyps.  The skeleton is violet to purple, the brown. Sometimes encrusting.

- Slit-Pore Sea Rods  Plexaurella spp.

Size: 15 to 60 cm.
Colour: Purple skeleton, purplish gray, or with some tan; polyps brown, grayish- or greenish brown. 
Shape:  Colonies in one to several erect, unbranched, cylindrical rods, arising from a common encrusting base. They are growing in small low-growing clumps. When extended the large polyps give the colony a “hairy” appearance and the area around pore-like polyp apertures often swollen. 

Inhabits coral reefs. Most shallow reef environments. It has long, grass-like polyps which are normally extended continuously, retracted only when disturbed.

BES-eilanden: Bonaire, St. Eustatius.

[Marion Haarsma, 2016]; [Floris Bennema 2016]

- Humann, P., & DeLoach, N. (2002). Reef Creature Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas (p. 420). Jacksonville (FL): New World Publications.
-  Interactive Guide to Caribbean Diving. M. De Kluijver, G. Gijswijt, R.de Leon & I. da Cunda.

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