Yellow sea fan

In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean

Standing facing the current, the Yellow sea fan brightens rocky seabeds with its golden shades. Its flexible branches catch plankton carried by the water and shelter a multitude of small organisms, contributing to the richness of Mediterranean underwater landscapes.

Habitat de Yellow sea fan Habitat
Rocky habitat, Coralligenous habitat
Profondeur de Yellow sea fan Depth
10-30 m
Groupe biologique de Yellow sea fan Group
Cnidarian
Rôle écologique de Yellow sea fan Role
Filter feeder, Ecosystem engineer

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

This sea fan forms branching fan-shaped colonies, with flexible, slightly flattened branches arranged in the same plane. Its colouring varies from bright yellow to orange, sometimes with darker shades depending on depth and lighting conditions. The inconspicuous polyps are small and hard to see from a distance. The colony is attached to the substrate by a broad, solid base.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It is encountered on rocky substrates exposed to a steady current, mainly in the Mediterranean. It grows at depths generally ranging from a few tens to a hundred metres, depending on the area.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

Its diet is based on catching organic particles and plankton suspended in the water. The polyps filter the water flowing through the colony to obtain these resources.

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