Author: Ali Isles and Tiona Challender
Pink Rock Crust (On Keyhole Limpet and Rock in photo above)
Common Name:Â Pink Rock Crust, Â Crustose Coralline Algae – there are many species!
Size:Â Greatly varies.
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Identifying Features:Â Flat, various shapes of rough crust usually attached to rocks, shells, coral, seaweed etc. Â It is rough due to calcium carbonate in the cell walls of the plant.
Habitat:Â It can be spotted in subtidal and intertidal zones but may also occur in the deep ocean.
Pink Rock Crust algae growing on the shell of a Bering Hermit Crab (Pagurus beringanus).