Gorgonia corals, often called sea fans, are soft corals with a fan-like structure that spreads out in intricate patterns. Their branches are covered with tiny polyps, each contributing to the coral’s filter-feeding ability. These fans can grow over a meter wide and are often vibrantly colored in purples, yellows, or reds. They add structural complexity to reefs, providing habitat for countless small creatures.
As filter feeders, gorgonians extend their polyps to capture plankton and organic matter from the water. They rely on water flow, so their orientation is often perpendicular to prevailing currents. Unlike hard corals, they do not form reefs but contribute to reef ecosystems.
Divers encounter gorgonia corals along reef walls and drop-offs, where they form colorful fans swaying in the current. They are excellent photographic backdrops and shelters for fish and invertebrates. Care should be taken not to touch them, as their structures are fragile.
Many gorgonian species are not individually assessed, but they are vulnerable to climate change, sedimentation, and destructive fishing.
