| Anthomastus giganteus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Subphylum: | Anthozoa |
| Class: | Octocorallia |
| Order: | Malacalcyonacea |
| Family: | Alcyoniidae |
| Genus: | Anthomastus |
| Species: | A. giganteus |
| Binomial name | |
| Anthomastus giganteus Tixier-Durivault, 1954 | |
Anthomastus giganteus, or the gigantic soft coral, is a deep dwelling species of soft coral from South Africa.
This soft coral is made up of large, fleshy polyps arising from a single long stalk. All the polyps are autozoids, meaning that they are independent and capable of feeding themselves.stalked. The disc-like base is often attached to a hard substance or to debris. The stalk ranges from pink or red to orange and the polyps are a paler beige, white or pinkish colour. Alternatively, the whole organism may be white in colour. [1]
This species is known from the coast of South Africa. [2] It is one of the deepest occurring soft corals and has been found at depths of up to 450 m (1,480 ft). [2]