Sessile Hydrozoan

Eudendrium eximium

• Group: Other
• Typical depth: 6–216 m

This colonial hydroid builds branching, plantlike growths on dead coral and gorgonians along reef slopes, recorded in Belize between about 7 and 31 metres. Each colony is made of tiny feeding polyps, and at some point it releases free swimming medusae that carry the next generation through open water.

Taxonomy: Animalia › Cnidaria › Hydrozoa › Anthoathecata › Eudendriidae › Eudendrium

Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 418879.