Description

Also known as Branching Soft Coral, Gorgonian Sea Fan, Red Sea Whip, Red Sea Whip Coral, Sea Fan, Sea Rod, Sea Whip, Whip Coral.

Found usually on cave floors and deep water terrace bottoms, rarely above 5m, over inshore waters, in areas with some current, on coral and rocky reefs. Varies in colour.
They feed on plankton.
Length - 100cm
Depth - 5-30m
Widespread Indo-Pacific

Most soft corals have no true skeleton and so their bodies are flexible.
Some soft corals have spikes very similar to rose thorns which may help to protect against predators.
Soft corals are food and shelter to many marine animals, some of which hide in the branches and take on the colouration of these corals. Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellisella