Halecium beanii
Bushy colonies to 15 mm long. Proximal parts of the colonies fascicled, becoming monosiphonic distally, usually where regrowth has occurred from broken polysiphonic tubes. Branching irregular, occasionally tendrils given off distal ends of branches through the orifice of the terminal hydrophore. Stem internodes of variable length, 0.28-0.52 mm, narrowest at node, 0.08-0.12 mm, widening distally to 0.18-0.23 mm to accommodate hydrophore. Nodes distinct, with a slightly oblique slope alternately right and left, occasionally straight.
Hydrophores alternate, shallow, saucer-shaped, adnate to internode, diameter at margin 0.12-0.14 mm. Diaphragm distinct, 0.02-0.04 below margin, tilted towards node, marked by a thickening of perisarc, a ring of punctae (frequently not well seen) above. Secondary hydrophores given off on a short pedicel from diaphragm of primary hydrophore, adcauline wall convex, abcauline wall straight or very slightly bulged.
Body of hydranth delicate, with approximately 14-16 long filiform tentacles borne on a long peduncle, a deep constriction between peduncle and hypostome.
Near cosmopolitan.
Subtidal, epizoic on sponges and other benthic invertebrates.