Competition from this species may reduce the diversity of the marine communities in which they dwell.
Presence of aggregations of C. californica increase the density of rock oysters and mussels by protecting them from predatory sea stars.
Corynactus californica extrudes mesenterial filaments onto its prey, which includes brine shrimp, other sessile organisms living within its community, and pieces of dead fish. The mesenterial filaments are used for digestion and absorption of food in the coelenteron. If the prey is too large to take into the coelenteron, the mesenterial filaments are used to digest it externally.
West coast of North America, ranging from Washington state to Baja California.
Biogeographic Regions: pacific ocean (Native )
Corynactus californica are found in abundance on temperate rocky shores and on tropical coral reefs. They can be found anywhere from the lower intertidal zone to at least 50 meters in depth.
Aquatic Biomes: reef ; coastal
Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; radial symmetry
All C. californica reproduce asexually by fission and budding. Aggregations of different colors produce polyps of the same color; color of the species appears to be controlled genetically.
Parental Investment: no parental involvement
