C. eburnea , like all bryozoans, is a suspension feeder . C. eburnea occurs growing on algae, and ion seagrasses. In the IRL, it has been found growing in association with the red algae Solieria tenera . Seagrasses as well as floating macroalgae , provide support for bryozoan colonies. In turn, bryozoans provide habitat for many species of juvenile fishes and their invertebrate prey such as polychaete worms, amphipods and copepods.
Bryozoans are ecologically important in the Indian River Lagoon due to their feeding method.
As suspension feeders, they act as living filters in the marine environment.