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

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.