Subergorgia suberosa in situ (Photo: Monika Bryce)
Subergorgia suberosa in situ (Photo: Monika Bryce)

Red sea fan

Subergorgia suberosa

The bush-like, stiff colonies grow in one plane and are dichotomously branched. The colonies have distinct longitudinal grooves running the entire length of the colony on opposite faces. The polyps are located predominantly on the sides of the branches, with dome-shaped polyp mounds approximately 1.5 mm wide. The colour is dull orange to brown, with cream polyps. The axis consists of fused sclerites in a horny matrix. The sclerites of the tissue layer are spindles. They are azooxanthellate.

Behaviour

Sessile; Suspension feeder.

Method of reproduction

Larvae

Habitat

Marine

Found in turbid environments and clear water.

Distribution

Relatively common in tropical water around Australia and the Indo-Pacific.

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Subclass: Octocorallia
Order: Alcyonacea
Suborder: Scleraxonia
Family: Subergorgiidae
Genus: Subergorgia
Species: suberosa
Name Published Year: 1766
Rank: species
Scientific Name Authorship: Pallas
Commercial Impact: 

None

Conservation Assessment: Least Concern

Net Conservation Benefits Fund

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Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/subergorgia-suberosa
Accessed 31 Aug 2023

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