Wide-Mesh Sea Fan

Sep 10, 2017. Dive site Buddy's Reef in Bonaire.
G. mariae is the smallest sea fan in the Caribbean, growing to a height of about 30 cm (12 in). The much branched structure is mostly two dimensional, and as it enlarges, the branches become cross-connected to form a net. The branches are only slightly compressed and the side branches are pinnately divided. The colour varies, most specimens are whitish and others are yellow, and there is often some violet colour near the base. Two other growth forms exist in the Caribbean; one has many short, free branches on one or both faces of the net; the other, which is usually bright yellow, has the lower part of the colony anastomising and net-like, while the upper and outer parts have free branches. The supporting axial rod in the main stem and branches is formed of gorgonin, calcified to some extent, a flexible and almost unbreakable material. This enables the gorgonian to brace itself and sway with the current so that the polyps can expand to feed.