Preview
Family
Plexauridae
Common Name(s)
Tube-knob candelabrum
Colony Form
Candelabrum with few branches chiefly in one plane; to 30 cm tall; similar to E. mammosa. Long and scares branching.
Axis
Cylindrical in cross-section.
Branches
Long, thin, chiefly arising from near base; 2 mm across. Fewer branches than other Eunicea species.
Apertures
calices elongate, tubular or conical, longer than branch diameter, to 10 mm long, with slightly upturned lower lip, but no conspicuous sharp upper lip.
Mucus
Absent
Color
Whitish to tan or brown, sometimes blue. Dries mainly beige to pale ochre.
Sclerites
Polyp armature: flattened rods. Axial layer: acute spindles, or short spindles with prominent ornamentation; variable in size and form. Middle layer: large acute spindles to 1.5 mm long. Surface layer: torch-like clubs.
Habitat
Semi-exposed reefs, sandy bottoms and walls; possibly on deeper reef slopes of oceanic reefs in 14-40 m.
Distribution
Uncommon; Bahamas and southern Caribbean; reported as abundant on leeward reefs and slopes of San Salvador and Abaco, Bahamas (Sánchez, personal observation). Not yet reported from Florida.
Similar Species
Date Taken
4-11-2016
Notes
Distinguishable from E. mammosa by longer, more widely spaced tube-like calices. The two species often co-occur.