Genus Candidella Bayer, 1954

Stenella Gray, 1870: 48 (junior homonym). Candidella Bayer, 1954: 296 .— Cairns & Bayer 2004b: 476 –477; 2009: 46, fig. 16H–N.—Cairns, 2009: 440; 2012: 37; 2016b: 102.

Type Species. Primnoa imbricata Johnson, 1862, by monotypy.

Diagnosis. Colonies dichotomously branching or unbranched (flagelliform). Polyps arranged in whorls, individual polyps standing perpendicular to branch. Each polyp with four large marginal scales, forming a distinct cowl around operculum. Other body wall scales much smaller, occurring in 2–4 sub-terminal transverse tiers. Opercular scales have a prominent keel. Coenenchymal scales elliptical, with concave outer surface.

Discussion. Four species are known in this deep-water genus, which has been reviewed by Cairns (2009) and Cairns & Bayer (2009).

Distribution. Amphi-Atlantic, central Pacific from Hawaii to New Zealand, 1115–2211 m.