Feature Creature of the Month:

Gorgonian

Description: Gorgonians are also known as sea fans or sea whips. They look similar to plants or trees but are actually a colony of small polyps of animals. Gorgonians are a type of soft coral and are related to jellyfish and sea anemones. They have stinging tentacles that they use to defend themselves from predators. There are over 500 different species of gorgonians in the worlds oceans. 

Where they are Found: Gorgonians can be found throughout the worlds oceans, especially in the tropics and subtropics.

Diet: Each individual polyp has eight tentacles that filter feeds, or catches plankton, out of the water.

Status in the ocean: Gorgonians are easily affected by pollution such as trash and motor oil. Please remember to dispose of your trash responsibly and reduce and recycle when possible!

WOW!!! All of the individual polyps of the gorgonian share the same stomach.

Past Feature Creatures: Spiny Brittle Star, Shiner Surfperch, Brown Pelican, Eel Grass, Decorator Crab, Bottlenose Dolphin, SCUBA Diver, Wolf Eel, Sanddab, Globe Crab, Horn Shark, Sea Hare, CA mussel clam, Pipefish, Giant Kelpfish, Two-Spotted Octopus, Hermit Crab, Spider Crab, Spiny Lobster, Opaleye, Catalina Goby, Garibaldi, Thornback Ray, Tube Anemone, Cabezon, Swell Shark, Moray Eel, Orange Puffball Sponge, White Plume Anemones, Sheephead, Ocean Sunfish, Sunflower Star

All photos not labeled otherwise are from Eric Martin of the Roundhouse.