Description

Also known as Bushy Black Coral, Precious Black Coral.

Found growing as a single bushy frond, expanding to look like a giant pipe cleaner, over coral and rocky reefs.
They feed on plankton.
Length - 30cm
Depth - 10-40m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

This species is host to the granulose black coral crab - Quadrella granulosa.

They are called Black Corals because the inner skeleton is black, over this they have a fleshy skin that varies in colour with the different corals.
The polyps have six tentacles which although cannot be retracted, may shrink if disturbed.
A number of other animals live in the branches, e.g. Pteria penquin (Winged pearl oyster), Lopha cristagalli (Cock\\\'s comb oyster), Periclimenes sp.(Black coral shrimp). (edit) Ref: x