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Gorgonian Photos

Corky sea fingers

Briareum asbestinum

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Fun Facts

This coral species is also referred to as "dead man's fingers."

Species Type:

Corals, Invertebrates

Common Name(s):

Corky sea fingers

Size:

Corky sea finger colonies can grow up to 2 feet (24 inches) tall.

Diet:

Using its tentacles, corky sea fingers will catch and eat smaller marine organisms that drift by. Coral also have a special algae—called zooxanthellae– in their tissues that photosynthesize the sun's rays into energy/food.

Range & Habitat:

Corky sea fingers are common among shallow reef environments in the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

Details:

Corky sea fingers have dense unbranched rods growing from a single base. Each rod has long tentacles, giving them a fuzzy texture. This coral can range in color from purple, gray, tan, brown to green and yellow.