WHATSTHATFISH
Corals & anemones

Smooth Sea Fan

Annella mollis

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

Adult
@fishx6 · Mirihi Island Resort, Maldives · May 20081 / 16
01

Overview

Found over rock and sandy substrates on lower bottoms of reefs and reef slopes exposed to strong tidal currents.

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

COLOURS
Body shape
fan

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03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-West Pacific
  • Country only · 16
LIVES IN

Found over rock and sandy substrates on lower bottoms of reefs and reef slopes exposed to strong tidal currents.

04

Adult photos 16

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. familySubergorgiidae
    6. genusAnnella
    7. speciesAnnella mollis (Nutting, 1910)

    SourcesWoRMSWikipedia

    06

    More in the family

    Malacalcyonacea