Sea Fans

33 species

Sea fans, also known as gorgonians, are a captivating addition to any reef aquarium. These intricate and often vividly colored corals belong to the order Alcyonacea and are characterized by their tree-like structures with numerous branches. Unlike many other corals, sea fans do not possess a hard, stony skeleton. Instead, they have a flexible, protein-based structure called gorgonin, which allows them to sway gracefully with the water currents, creating a mesmerizing display in the aquarium.

Sea fans are filter feeders, relying on strong water flow to bring plankton and other microscopic food particles to their polyps. This means that maintaining adequate water movement is crucial for their health. They thrive in environments with moderate to high water flow and require regular feeding with specialized coral foods or phytoplankton supplements.

One of the most attractive features of sea fans is their wide range of colors, from vibrant purples and reds to more subdued yellows and oranges. This diversity makes them a popular choice for aquarists looking to add a splash of color and texture to their tanks. However, their care requirements can be more demanding compared to other corals. They are sensitive to water quality and require stable parameters.

In terms of placement, sea fans should be positioned in areas of the tank where they can receive optimal water flow without being overshadowed by other corals or rock structures. They can coexist with a variety of other reef inhabitants, but it's important to ensure that they are not placed too close to aggressive corals that may sting them.

Overall, sea fans are a beautiful and rewarding addition to a reef aquarium for experienced hobbyists who can meet their specific care needs. Their unique appearance and dynamic movement make them a standout feature in any marine setup.

  1. Actinostephanus haeckeli - Haeckels Sandanemone
    Common name: Haeckel's Anemone
    Scientific name: Actinostephanus haeckeli
  2. Common name: slimy sea plume
    Scientific name: Antillogorgia americana
  3. Colonial soft coral bipinnate sea plume or forked sea feather (Antillogorgia bipinnata) undersea, Caribbean Sea, Cuba, Playa Cueva de los peces
    Common name: forked sea feather
    Scientific name: Antillogorgia bipinnata
  4. Common name: Sea Plume
    Scientific name: Antillogorgia elisabethae
  5. Common name: Galapagos black coral
    Scientific name: Antipathes galapagensis
  6. A mated pair of gobies (Bryaninops yongei) sits on wire coral (Cirrhipathes anguina) at night on a black background; Indonesia
    Common name: whip Coral
    Scientific name: Cirrhipathes anguina
  7. feather star and coral reef
    Common name: Feather Star Coral
    Scientific name: Coelogorgia palmosa
  8. Feather Star, Crinoid, Coral Reef, Lembeh, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Asia
    Common name: Feather Star
    Scientific name: Comaster nobilis
  9. Underwater, Lembeh Strait,Indonesia
    Common name: colorful sea rod
    Scientific name: Diodogorgia nodulifera
  10. Distichophora Violacea - Distichopora Violacea Blue Lace Coral
    Common name: Violet Lace Coral
    Scientific name: Distichopora violacea
  11. Coral reef gorgonian
    Common name: Bent Sea Rod
    Scientific name: Eunicea flexuosa
  12. Gorgonia flabellum,Venus fan
    Common name: venus sea fan
    Scientific name: Gorgonia flabellum
  13. Wide-Mesh Sea Fan (Gorgonia mariae) near Anilao, Batangas, Philippines.  Underwater photography and marine life.
    Common name: Purple Sea Rod
    Scientific name: Gorgonia mariae
  14. The purple sea fan attached to a rock or coral reef.
    Common name: purple sea fan
    Scientific name: Gorgonia ventalina
  15. Common name: Isarachnanthus night anemone
    Scientific name: Isarachnanthus maderensis
  16.  Colorful portait of ornate ghost pipefish - Solenostomus paradoxus
    Common name: Branching Pipe Coral
    Scientific name: Isis hippuris
  17. Sea whip corals and Sea rod corals (Mergui archipelago, Myanmar)
    Common name: Delicate Sea Whip
    Scientific name: Junceella fragilis
  18. Common name: carmine sea spray
    Scientific name: Leptogorgia miniata
  19. Close-up of Red Melithaea sea fan gorgonian coral
    Common name: Red Sea Fan
    Scientific name: Melithaea splendens
  20. California golden gorgonian polyps, Muricea californica, Anacapa Island, Channel Islands National Park, California, USA
    Common name: California Sea Fan
    Scientific name: Muricea californica
  21. Common name: Violet Sea Rod
    Scientific name: Muricea fruticosa
  22. Common name: delicate spiny sea rod
    Scientific name: Muricea laxa
  23. Sea fans, and Painted spiny lobsters under the rock
    Common name: spiny sea fan
    Scientific name: Muricea muricata
  24. Muricella Sea Fan (Muricella plectana)
    Common name: Muricella Sea Fan
    Scientific name: Muricella plectana
  25. Gorgonian-type octocoral Slit-pore sea rod or double-forked plexaurella (Plexaurella dichotoma) undersea, Caribbean Sea, Cuba, Playa Cueva de los peces
    Common name: double-forked plexaurella
    Scientific name: Plexaurella dichotoma
  26. Angular Sea Whip (Pterogorgia anceps), Rosario Islands National Natural Park
    Common name: Angular Sea Whip
    Scientific name: Pterogorgia anceps
  27. Yellow colorful sea whip soft coral (Leptogorgia virgulata) in the Atlantic Ocean surf, washing up on a South Carolina beach
    Common name: yellow sea whip
    Scientific name: Pterogorgia citrina
  28. A picture of the coral reef
    Common name: Pillar Coral
    Scientific name: Stelligera rigida
  29. Feather Star, Crinoid, Coral Reef, Lembeh, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Asia
    Common name: Feather star
    Scientific name: Stephanometra tenuipinna
  30. Closeup shot of a giant carpet anemone species of sea anemone in the clear water
    Common name: Giant Carpet Anemone
    Scientific name: Strepsichordaia lendenfeldi
  31. Yellowline arrow crab with rose lace corals (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands)
    Common name: Rose Lace Coral
    Scientific name: Stylaster roseus
  32. Swiftia exserta
    Common name: red polyp octocoral
    Scientific name: Swiftia exserta
  33. Common name: Waving Hand Coral
    Scientific name: Thesea nutans