Clavularia crassa

Clavularia crassa is a colonial soft coral found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, particularly around the coasts of Portugal and Algeria. It forms small colonies of up to fifty polyps, each growing from a stolon that spreads across the substrate. The polyps are slender, creamy-white, and can reach up to 10 mm in length. They are distinguished by their eight long, feathery tentacles that are either transparent white or colorless with white flecks. The oral surface of the polyps is stiffened by calcareous sclerites, which help differentiate it from similar species like Cornularia cornucopiae and Sarcodictyon catenatum. C. cornucopiae lacks sclerites and has shorter polyps, while S. catenatum has smaller polyps and a brick-red stolon. This coral typically inhabits regions with moderate to high water movement and is often found growing on the rhizomes of Neptune grass, as well as on algae and sponges. Its depth range extends from about 1 to 33 meters. The polyps of Clavularia crassa can partially retract, and when extended, they feed on zooplankton filtered from the water by their tentacles. Reproduction involves the extrusion of eggs through the mouths of the polyps, forming small orange clusters that are brooded on the outer surface. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.