Golden Gorgonian Underwater at San Clemente Island, Leptogorgia chilensis

Red gorgonian and California golden gorgonian on underwater rocky reef, San Clemente Island. The golden gorgonian is a filter-feeding temperate colonial species that lives on the rocky bottom at depths between 50 to 200 feet deep. Each individual polyp is a distinct animal, together they secrete calcium that forms the structure of the colony. Gorgonians are oriented at right angles to prevailing water currents to capture plankton drifting by. USA, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis, Muricea californica, natural history stock photograph, photo id 38499
Red gorgonian and California golden gorgonian on underwater rocky reef, San Clemente Island. The golden gorgonian is a filter-feeding temperate colonial species that lives on the rocky bottom at depths between 50 to 200 feet deep. Each individual polyp is a distinct animal, together they secrete calcium that forms the structure of the colony. Gorgonians are oriented at right angles to prevailing water currents to capture plankton drifting by. USA

This image is featured in: San Clemente Island Underwater: a Symphony of Sea Fans, or, Gonzo for Gorgonians

Species: Red gorgonian, California golden gorgonian, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis, Muricea californica
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 38499
Format: Digital 1:1
Keywords: animal, animalia, california, california golden gorgonian, channel islands, coral, creature, damselfish, environment, fish, garibaldi, gorgonian, habitat, hypsypops rubicundus, invertebrate, island, kelp forest, leptogorgia chilensis, lophogorgia chilensis, marine, marine invertebrate, marine plant, muricea californica, nature, ocean, oceans, offshore, outdoors, outside, pacific, pacific ocean, plant, red gorgonian, san clemente island, scene, scenery, scenic, sea, sea fan, soft coral, southern channel islands, submarine, underwater, usa, wildlife
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