Stinging hydroid fern (Macrorhynchia philippina)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Macrorhynchia philippina
- Common name
- Stinging hydroid fern
- Category
- Cnidarians
- Family
- Aglaopheniidae
- Genus
- Macrorhynchia
- Size
- 10–30 cm
- Depth
- 5–40 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, coral-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, colonial
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, East Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Macrorhynchia philippina reaches 30 cm. Large colonial hydroid (Aglaopheniidae) Indo-Pacific tropical with erect colonial body in fern or palm shape golden-brown to black-brown with feathery branches, surface covered with polyps and nematocysts. Lives from 5 to 40 m on rocky and coral reefs. Strongly urticating (stinging hydroid), painful long-lasting burn on contact. Spectacular macro dive photo subject for its graphic shapes, but danger for unwary diver. Never touch with bare skin.
Photo of Stinging hydroid fern
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Stinging hydroid fern?
- Stinging hydroid fern (Macrorhynchia philippina) reaches 10–30 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Stinging hydroid fern?
- Stinging hydroid fern is found between 5–40 m deep.
- Is the Stinging hydroid fern dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Stinging hydroid fern?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Stinging hydroid fern?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, East Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the family Aglaopheniidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 117305)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2266916)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia