Guaiagorgia anas

Appearance

This gorgonian is remarkable for its more or less dark blue-violet color whose retractable polyps are lighter. It is in the form of a digital branch, generally grouped together. Max size 35 cm, depth 18-25 m.

Distribution

Indo pacific

Habitat

It is found on mixed coral reefs, sandy bottom. It feeds on plankton.

Reproduction

The class of anthozoa is gonochoric or hermaphrodite. The mature gametes are eliminated in the coelenteron and appear by mouth. Fertilization is external. The larvae are planktonic, before coming to settle and develop on the substrate.