Slimy sea plume (Antillogorgia americana)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Antillogorgia americana
- Common name
- Slimy sea plume
- Category
- Corals
- Family
- Gorgoniidae
- Genus
- Antillogorgia
- Size
- 30–150 cm
- Depth
- 1–45 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- sessile, colonial
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Antillogorgia americana (formerly Pseudopterogorgia americana) forms feathery colonies with erect main branches and fine feather-like side branches, 30 cm to 1.5 m tall. Grey-green to purple color. Sways gently with the current. Source of pseudopterosins, anti-inflammatory compounds studied in cosmetics and biomedicine. Very common on Caribbean reefs from 1 to 45 m.
Photo of Slimy sea plume
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Slimy sea plume?
- Slimy sea plume (Antillogorgia americana) reaches 30–150 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Slimy sea plume?
- Slimy sea plume is found between 1–45 m deep.
- Is the Slimy sea plume dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Slimy sea plume?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Slimy sea plume?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the family Gorgoniidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 708859)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 7962921)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia