Ctenactis echinata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ctenactis echinata |
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Ctenactis echinata is a cool type of coral that lives all by itself. It's often called a "disc coral" because of its shape. This coral belongs to the family called Fungiidae. You can find it in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region. Scientists say it's a common species, so it's not currently in danger. The IUCN lists it as "least concern", which is good news!
What It Looks Like
Ctenactis echinata is a medium to large coral. It can grow up to about 25 centimeters (10 inches) long. It can also be about 10 centimeters (4 inches) wide. This coral has a special groove, like a long ditch, down its middle. This groove usually has one mouth opening. Sometimes, it might even have more than one mouth!
The coral has thick, toothy plates called septa. These plates have big, triangular teeth. Between these main plates, there are smaller ones. These smaller plates are also a bit toothed. A very large coral can have over a thousand of these plates!
On the underside of the coral, there are faint ridges called costae. These ridges have long, branch-like or cylinder-shaped spines. These spines are arranged in rows, spreading out from the center. This coral is usually a pale brown color.
Where It Lives
Ctenactis echinata lives in the Indo-Pacific region. This huge area includes the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Its home stretches all the way to China, Japan, Indonesia, and northern Australia. You can also find it around many islands in the western and central Pacific Ocean.
This coral likes to live on flat parts of coral reefs. It also lives on the slopes of reefs and in calm areas called lagoons. It can be found in waters up to 20 meters (66 feet) deep.
