The grey fan hydroid (''Solanderia procumbens'') is a large colonial hydroid in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Solanderiidae ''Solanderia'' is the sole genus of hydrozoans in the monotypic family Solanderiidae. They are commonly known as tree hydroids or sea fan hydroids. Description ''Solanderia'' hydroids forms large colonies. They are one of about 1000 species of ...

Description

The grey fan hydroid grows as a grey to dark brown fan-shaped colony that may be 40 cm in total height. It has variable branching in a single plane. The main stem of old colonies can be quite thick and flattened in the plane of branching. Smaller branches are round in section. Hydranths are scattered irregularly on the stem and branches. Naomi A. H. Millard, 1975. Monograph on the Hydroida of Southern Africa. ''Ann. S. Afr. Mus.'' 68:1-513

Distribution

This colonial animal is found only around the South African coast from the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula to KwaZulu-Natal in 10-130m under water.

Ecology

Gonophores (reproductive structures) are irregularly spaced on the branches and are rounded with short stalks.

References

Solanderiidae Animals described in 1873 {{Anthoathecata-stub