831 species

Mycedium elephantotus

(Pallas, 1766)

Mycedium

Oken, 1815

Characters: Colonies are laminar or encrusting. Corallites are up to 15 millimetres diameter and nose-shaped, facing outward towards the colony perimeter. Septa and columellae are well developed and costae form outwardly radiating ribs on the colony surface which may become highly elaborated on corallite walls. The coenosteum is never pitted at the commencement of new septo-costae. Tentacles are usually extended only at night.

Colour: Usually a uniform brown, grey, green or pink but may have green, white or red oral discs. Colonies may have distinctively coloured margins.

Similar Species: Mycedium robokaki, which has smaller corallites and irregularly shaped fronds. See also M. umbra.

Habitat: Most reef environments protected from strong wave action.

Abundance: Common.

Taxonomic Note: Corallites vary greatly in appearance and may become very elongate at colony margins.

COTW History since Veron (2000a)
  • Family: All families are currently under review
  • Genus/species: No change