Dendronephtya mucronata

Appearance

Umbellate, polyp-carrying branches, which are closed in one side. Stem almost without polyps. Only upper part of colony with short stout branches, which again branch several times. Polyps in small groups, surrounded by long, calcareoussclerites protecting them against predators. It exists in multiple colors.

Distribution

Indo-West Pacific.

Behavior

Mostly active at night.

Habitat

It is found on a gentle slope of rocks. Depth range 12 - 20 m. It prefers shady places.

Reproduction

Members of the class Anthozoa are either gonochoric or hermaphroditic. Mature gametes are shed into the coelenteron and spawned through the mouth. Life cycle: The zygote develops into a planktonic planula larva. Metamorphosis begins with early morphogenesis of tentacles, septa and pharynx before larval settlement on the aboral end.

Food

Feed on phyto- and zooplankton.