WHATSTHATFISH
Corals & anemones

Cave Fan Coral

Melithaea

Also known as: Fan Coral, Gorgonian Fan Coral, Gorgonian Sea Fan, Octocoral, Gorgonian Sea Fas

Adult
@fishx6 · Mirihi, Maldives · May 20081 / 3
01

Overview

Found in areas of slow current, as well as very turbid areas, often branching out from vertical walls and hanging from cave ceilings, over coral and rocky reefs.The bigger fan corals often have a corkscrew effect on the main stems.

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.

02

How to identify

Body shape
bushfan

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
  • Country only · 3
LIVES IN

Found in areas of slow current, as well as very turbid areas, often branching out from vertical walls and hanging from cave ceilings, over coral and rocky reefs.The bigger fan corals often have a corkscrew effect on the main stems.

04

Adult photos 3

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumCnidaria
    3. classOctocorallia
    4. orderMalacalcyonacea
    5. familyMelithaeidae
    6. genusMelithaea Milne Edwards & Haime, 1857

    SourcesWoRMS

    06

    More in the family

    Malacalcyonacea