Madrepora Carnation

Appearance

Typically 5-7mm in diameter, but taller in proportion to its diameter. The skeleton is distinguished by septa which extend outside the line of the corallum at the top. These septa are easily seen in contracted living individuals. The living polyps are translucent white in colour, with short knobbed tentacles.

Distribution

It is a frequent species in the Azores and occurs along the Atlantic coasts of France, Spain and Portugal and the Mediterranean Sea. Much less frequently found in the North Atlantic such as British Isles.

Habitat

Usually found on vertical or overhanging rockfaces, often in small groups. May also occur in small caves where it is out of the light.