Common sea fan (Gorgonia ventalina)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Gorgonia ventalina
- Common name
- Common sea fan
- Category
- Corals
- Family
- Gorgoniidae
- Genus
- Gorgonia
- Size
- 50–180 cm
- Depth
- 1–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- reef
- Behaviours
- sessile, colonial
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific
Description
Gorgonia ventalina forms large flat perforated fans up to 1.8 m across, characteristic violet to purple (occasionally yellow or blue). Each colony orients perpendicular to the prevailing current to maximize plankton capture. Flexible gorgonin skeleton. Very common on Caribbean reefs between 1 and 30 m. An iconic wide-angle photo silhouette, often hosting pygmy seahorses and gobies.
Photo of Common sea fan
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Common sea fan?
- Common sea fan (Gorgonia ventalina) reaches 50–180 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Common sea fan?
- Common sea fan is found between 1–30 m deep.
- Is the Common sea fan dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Common sea fan?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Common sea fan?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific.
Other species in the family Gorgoniidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 290045)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5185376)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia