Attached to hard substrate on shallow tropical coral reefs, especially exposed reef crests and fore-reefs with moderate to strong water movement.
Distribution
Western Atlantic and Caribbean: from Bermuda and southern Florida through the Bahamas, Greater and Lesser Antilles, and Caribbean coasts to northern South America.
Conservation status
Least Concern
Edibility
Not considered food and culinary use is undocumented. Do not consume or collect it; it is a reef-forming octocoral and may be protected by site-specific rules.
Danger level
Harmless
Usual observation depth
1–20 m
Lifespan (years)
0
Behaviour
Sessile and colonial. Individual colonies grow as flexible fans, generally oriented across prevailing currents to capture suspended food; polyps extend to feed, especially when water movement is suitable.
Suspension feeder; its polyps capture zooplankton, microscopic organic particles and other suspended material from the water.
Reproduction
Oviparous
Identification marks
Large upright, fan-shaped colony in one broad plane, with a dense net-like pattern of repeatedly branching stems. Usually tan, yellowish, lavender or purplish; tiny eight-tentacled polyps cover the branches.
Similar species
Can be confused with other Caribbean sea fans, including Gorgonia flabellum and species of Antillogorgia. Confirm using the dense single-plane reticulate fan, colony form and, where needed, close examination of skeletal structures; colour alone is unreliable.
Approach rules
Observe without touching, holding, collecting or brushing against the colony. Keep buoyancy and fins clear, especially in surge; do not feed wildlife. Avoid flash at very close range and follow site photography rules.
Protection
IUCN assessed as Least Concern. Not listed in the CITES Appendices. Avoid removal and physical damage; coral-reef habitats are vulnerable to disease, storms, warming and declining water quality.
