Species Type:
Corals, Invertebrates
Common Name(s):
Venus sea fan
Size:
These sea fans grow to 3.3 feet (1 meter) across.
Diet:
Using their polyp's tentacles, Venus sea fans catch organic compounds and small marine organisms from their environment. They also have a special algae—called zooxanthellae– in their tissues that photosynthesize the sun's rays into energy/food.
Range & Habitat:
In the Caribbean Sea and along the coast of the Bahamas, Venus sea fans inhabit crests and shallow reef slopes with wave activity.
Details:
Venus sea fans can be yellow, lavender or gray in color. Their flexible structure helps them withstand strong currents without breaking and their polyps extend tiny tentacles to catch plankton and organic particles floating in the water. Venus sea fans produce compounds that deter predators like snails and fish from feeding on them.