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Asparagus flowery soft coral awaiting identification* Family Nephtheidae updated Aug 10 Where seen? This large flowery soft coral is commonly seen on our Southern shores. When out of water with the polyps retracted, the tips of this soft coral looks like asparagus spears. Usually among living hard corals on the reef flats. Features: Colony bushy 15-20cm. Colony is branched with thick study 'stems' emerging from a stout central 'trunk'. The 'stems' may be white, lilac or purple. Polyps tiny (about 0.5cm) with eight beige or brown branched tentacles. The polyps appear in clusters at the tips of the branches. When the polyp tentacles are closed, the entire colony may appear purplish or lilac, and the rounded tips of the colony give the 'stems' the appearance of asparagus spears. With the polyps expanded, the colony appears brown and bushy. Flowery friends: Sometimes, tiny transparent red nose shrimps and tiny colourful brittle stars can be seen on this soft coral.

Pulau Hantu, Apr 04 Pulau Hantu, Apr 07

Pulau Semakau, Aug 11

Cyrene Reef, Dec 08 With tiny orange brittle stars.

Cyrene Reef, Mar 07

Sisters Island, Aug 07 Tiny transparent shrimp.

Bleaching. Terumbu Bemban, Jun 10

Bleaching. Terumbu Bemban, Jun 10

Bleaching. Pulau Hantu, Jun 10

more photos of asparagus flowery soft corals on Singapore shores
part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6