| Family: |
Niphatidae () |
| Max. size: |
|
| Environment: |
reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 18 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Central Atlantic. |
| Diagnosis: |
Grows in either in vase-, tube- or cup-shape, broadening upward from the base up to 50 cm in height. Fan-shape rare; may be globular or tubular in small specimens. Surface smooth or with conules or soft spines up to 6 mm in height ; coarsely porous. Color varies from pale purplish pink to light bluish to grayish green or gray. Compressible. Small round oscules present inside the vase or cup. A fringe of soft spines usually connected by a transparent membrane is present at the apical opening (Ref. 85482). |
| Biology: |
On coral reefs and hard bottoms (Ref. 85482), and in mangroves (Ref. 86836). Commensal with amphipods (Ref. 86735). In Belize, it was found in a submarine cave near Columbus Cay at a depth of 10 m (Ref. 87209). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
|
| Threat to humans: |
|
| Country info: |
|
Source and more info: www.sealifebase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.