Gattya humilis

Gattya humilis, the snowdrop hydroid, is a delicate colonial hydroid in the family Halopterididae.

Description
Snowdrop hydroids are usually white and have small branches extending from a central stem. They may grow up to 3 cm in total height. The male gonophores (reproductive bodies) are smaller and more rounded than the female ones, which are goblet-shaped and contain only one egg each. Both sexes occur on the same stem.

Distribution
This colonial animal is found off the southern African coast from Northern Namibia to KwaZulu-Natal from the subtidal to 70m under water. It is only found in this region.

Ecology
This species often grows on coralline algae or weed.