Lapidogorgia cimenia

Appearance

The fans have only a few long branches, which are not connected to form a network. It has relatively large and light colored polyps, which can completely retract into the medulla. It can still form fan shaped corals of up to 80 cm. They are variable in color.

Distribution

Indo-Pacific, New Caledonia to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

Habitat

Found from the shallows to a depth of 45 m, growing on quiet water, often on the reef bottom, where the coral growth fades to a sandy outer reef.

Food

Polyps are actively ctaching plankton at night.