OK, I know, the title makes a terribly arcane reference, but these little creatures (above photo) look so soft and cuddly. They are popping up all over the reef in every nook and cranny. I don't know what they are, but suddenly there sure are a lot of them. Everywhere.
Note: thanks to a comment from Haley, I now know that they are Common Razor Coral.
Winter island style
2 years ago
They're mushroom coral :-)...
ReplyDeleteMushroom Coral or Razor Coral
Fungia scutaria
This solitary (single polyp), free-living (unattached) coral is most commonly found on reef flats, frequently between cracks and crevices. Its disk-like, elliptical shape resembles a mushroom cap and ranges from 1 1/2 to 7 inches in diameter. It grows into a disk and, when large enough, breaks off the stalk and becomes free-living. The color of live specimens ranges from pale brown in bright sunlight to dark brown in shady areas or deeper water.
From DLNR website.
Hope that helps!
Haley, thanks so much for the info. I love learning new things.
ReplyDeleteI'll tell ya what the Hawaiian name means tomorrow before the swim :-D
ReplyDeletelol Haley!!! Don you need to tell us WHAT the hawaiian name means!!! LOL ...=0) beautiful pictures Don
ReplyDelete