divepix - Branching Hydroid

Branching Hydroid

Aspect:	Thin white-tufted parallel branches alternately growing in a single plane on either side of a small brown stem. The white tufts actually are polyps that also extend alternately upwards and downwards from each branch. Taller specimens (about 15cm max), may carry secondary branches. ATTENTION: formerly Sertutella speciosa, now Serturella diaphana
Population:	Common, especially on current-swept natural bases or man-made structures, like mooring jetties and shipwrecks which they can generously invade, and particularly around wreck window and doorframes that offer a good flow of plankton-rich currents, but also permanent mooring lines.
Notable feature:	The tiny white horn-shaped polyps are home to about 28 hair-thin tentacles in charge of catching plankton.
Environment:	See "population" above.
Behaviour:	Stings badly, not to be touched.

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