Elegant Sea Fan [Gorgonia ventalina elegans]
Description
This subspecies of the Purple Sea Fan is found in the western Atlantic Ocean. It's characterized by a delicate, fan-like structure and a light purple color. The colonies are smaller than the main species, usually not exceeding 1 meter in height. The species feeds on plankton and small particles in the water column.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Jellyfish, Sea Anemones, and Relatives
Cnidaria
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Sea Anemones and Corals
Anthozoa
|
| Order |
Soft Corals
Alcyonacea
|
| Family |
Gorgoniidae
Gorgoniidae
|
| Genus |
Sea Fans
Gorgonia
|