CaliforniaDivingNews
Contributor
by Dale and Kim Sheckler
In Southern California waters we are blessed with temperate waters that encourage the growth of gorgonian sea fans. While they grow in branches that reach out from the reef, they are actually not a plant but rather a tightly grouped colony of tiny simple animals knows as polyps. The animals are a member of the Phylum Cnidaria animal group that also consists of anemones, jellies and corals. Much like their cousins they are very simple animals that consist of not much more than tentacles, a mouth and gullet -- no nervous system, heart, or gills. They feed off current-born plankton using their tiny tentacles to sting and guide the microscopic food into their mouths. Because they feed from currents and surge, it is not unusual to see large fans and colonies of fans on current swept reefs with the flat side of their spread perpendicular to the water flow for maximum feeding efficiency.
The warm colors of the gorgonian sea fan are ... Read More
In Southern California waters we are blessed with temperate waters that encourage the growth of gorgonian sea fans. While they grow in branches that reach out from the reef, they are actually not a plant but rather a tightly grouped colony of tiny simple animals knows as polyps. The animals are a member of the Phylum Cnidaria animal group that also consists of anemones, jellies and corals. Much like their cousins they are very simple animals that consist of not much more than tentacles, a mouth and gullet -- no nervous system, heart, or gills. They feed off current-born plankton using their tiny tentacles to sting and guide the microscopic food into their mouths. Because they feed from currents and surge, it is not unusual to see large fans and colonies of fans on current swept reefs with the flat side of their spread perpendicular to the water flow for maximum feeding efficiency.
The warm colors of the gorgonian sea fan are ... Read More
