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Soft Corals |
There are approximately 6000 species of anthozoans classified in several orders and subclasses, including hard and soft corals, sea whips, fans, antipatharians, sea pens, zooantharians and sea anemones. The northern Gulf of Mexico has only a few species, but what we have look great. Watch soft and hard corals video on youtube.com
Sea Whips - Mountains in the Sea 2003: Discover New England Seamount's Cnidaria coloniais (French) Hidden Beach
Cn-240 SEA WHIP, Leptogorgia virgulata, an elongated, tree-shaped gorgonian with colorful whip-like branches rising in all directions from a short, main trunk which is firmly fastened to the bottom. At night, hundreds of feathery white polyps emerge from its horny skeleton to feed. Coordination of the polyps may be easily studied within the colony. Leptogorgia has the highest color variation of any gorgonian, comes in reds, oranges, purples, yellows and cream. A good indicator of water quality, if their polyps stop expanding, it's time to add new water to the tank. Size: 20-30 cm. Cn-241 SEA FAN, Lophogorgia hebes, this brick red, densely branching sea fan has knobby red and white polyps, instantly adding the tropical reef look to the aquarium. Found in 60 foot depths, on coral rock bottoms, Lophogorgia outlasts all other gorgonians. Sporadically available. Size: 8-16 cm. Cnidaria Index • Hydroids • Jellyfish • Hard Corals • Soft Corals • Sea Anemones |
Cn-230 SEA PANSY, Renilla mulleri, a soft spongy anthozoan colony with elongated white polyps, excellent for feeding experiments. Polyps are vividly luminescent when handled in the dark. Waves of luminescense move concentrically over the colony. Renilla anchors itself into substratum with short peduncle, and makes distinct trails in the mud. Colony may inflate itself with water. Size: 4-6 cm.