Gigartina brachiata

Gigartina brachiata
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Size: Clumps to about 8 cm high

Distribution: All SA coastal and gulf waters

Habitat: Rocky reef and coast

Depth: Lower intertidal to shallow subtidal

Gigartina brachiata
Gigartina brachiata
Gigartina brachiata

This common red algae forms tangled mats or clumps on rocky reef and coast. It is red in colour, fading to a light cream. This colour transition can often be seen as a red plant with cream blotches or vice versa. The branching thallus is about 1mm thick and each branch terminates in a point. This algae is ubiquitous on many exposed reefs, and is usually easily identified.