Corail-champignon À Rayons

Overview

Ctenactis crassa is a free-living, non-attached mushroom coral belonging to the family Fungiidae. It is characterized by its elongated, slipper-like shape and a distinct axial furrow that runs along the center of the polyp, containing multiple mouths.

Distribution & habitat

This species is found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific, with a range extending from the Red Sea to Okinawa, Fiji, and Samoa. It typically inhabits reef slopes protected from strong wave action and is also commonly found in sandy-floored reef lagoons.

Appearance

The coral has a mottled brown and white coloration. Its structure is defined by an axial furrow that extends nearly to the ends of the polyp, with multiple mouths arranged exclusively within this groove. The septa—the radial plates within the coral skeleton—are notably coarse, which helps distinguish it from the similar-looking Ctenactis echinata, which typically possesses only a single mouth.