Gorgonians (sea fans) form tree-like colonies, often arranged like a fan. A stiff central rod of gorgonin (a horn-like protein), covered with small polyps, each with eight feathery tentacles, distinguishes them. Old skeletons, resembling miniature dead trees, often wash ashore.

IDENTIFICATION: Flattened central stem gives rise to lateral branches. White polyps adorn the bright -red colony, but can withdraw into slits.

SIZE: 2m tall: branches 3-10mm wide.

BIOLOGY: Forms fantastic underwater forests at 10 - 100 m. Grows only 15 mm per year; large colonies are over 100 years old and easily exterminated by souvenir-hunting divers. It is eaten by sponge crab and topshells.