Gorgonian Sea Fan Acanthogorgia isoxya

Appearance

Coloured branched colonies, fan-like, networks or bushy tangles. Have purely horny axis that is very difficult to cut. Generally delicate with thin branches and the coenenchyme layer between the polyps is usually so thin that the black axis can be seen. Polyps: Monomorphic. Not retractile, polyps sclerites arranged in eight double rows, forming chevrons. Trumpet shaped, projecting sclerites ending as a smooth spine. Bright colour, orange, red, pink, dark purple.

Distribution

Western Central Pacific: New Caledonia.

Habitat

Coral reef walls.

Reproduction

Members of the class Anthozoa are either gonochoric or hermaphroditic. Mature gametes are shed into the coelenteron and spawned through the mouth. Life cycle: The zygote develops into a planktonic planula larva. Metamorphosis begins with early morphogenesis of tentacles, septa and pharynx before larval settlement on the aboral end.