Cnidaria

Telesto sanguinea

1. In situ (Greg McFall)

2. In situ - Close up of polyps (Greg McFall)

3. Out of water - Red Telesto is in back of Orange Telesto (Steve Vives)

Size

Colony height: 5-15cm (2-6") Polyp diameter: 1cm (0.5")

Recognition Characters

Colonies form long trunks with branched stems. Each stem is tipped with a large, singular, white polyp. Secondary polyps extend from all sides.

Color

Bright red to red

Habitat & Depth

Colonize areas of rocky outcroppings and hard bottoms. Also wrecks. 10-100m deep.

Distribution at GRNMS

Abundant at GRNMS and nearby hardbottom areas.

Geographic Range

North Carolina to Florida Keys.

Behavior & Notes

Very similar in appearance to Orange Telesto.

Humann 1992b