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The Balanophyllia europea, called also scarlet coral or pig-tooth coral, is a small species of stony coral in the family Dendrophylliidae.
Pig-tooth corals are solitary hard corals with an oval shape. They grow to 3 cm in diameter and 2 cm in height. The body colour goes from light brown to green-brown, the polyp has almost transparent beaded tentacles which can have some red to yellow spots due to the presence of symbiotic micro-algae
This small madrepore is only found in the Mediterranean Sea. It likes shallow and bright underwater area and usually fixed itself on hard substrate like rocks, shells or other hard materials as deep as 50 m.
This species likes shallow places because it is a photophilous species, that means it needs sunlight to maintain alive its symbiotic micro-algae.
madrepora solitaria – scarlet coral – balanophyllia europea – intotheblue.it
madrepora solitaria – scarlet coral – balanophyllia europea – intotheblue.it
