Dr. John Turnbull, Marine Explorer, Australien
Info
(Gray, 1869)
The tube coral Telesto smithii belongs to the Clavulariidae family, a subclass of the Octocorallia (flower animals).
The coral has thousands of tiny polyps with filigree tentacles, with the help of which the passive filter-feeder must capture passing zooplankton. The coral has no zooxanthellae, but the polyps themselves only have very few nettles.
Telesto smithii requires a firm substrate to which it can attach itself well with its stolons (root-like extensions), the coral can also settle on artificial hard surfaces such as metal, plastic, concrete, etc. and is therefore an ideal candidate for artificial reefs.
In contrast to Carijoa riisei (formerly known as Telesto riisei), we are currently not aware of any imports of Telesto smithii.
The tube coral Telesto smithii belongs to the Clavulariidae family, a subclass of the Octocorallia (flower animals).
The coral has thousands of tiny polyps with filigree tentacles, with the help of which the passive filter-feeder must capture passing zooplankton. The coral has no zooxanthellae, but the polyps themselves only have very few nettles.
Telesto smithii requires a firm substrate to which it can attach itself well with its stolons (root-like extensions), the coral can also settle on artificial hard surfaces such as metal, plastic, concrete, etc. and is therefore an ideal candidate for artificial reefs.
In contrast to Carijoa riisei (formerly known as Telesto riisei), we are currently not aware of any imports of Telesto smithii.
