divepix - Venus Sea Fan

Venus Sea Fan

Aspect:	A delicate thin, single-plane lattice that spreads from several main branches. Very similar in shape and colour (generally tan or light green, often with pink/purple root and main branches) to other sea fans.
Population:	Common.
Notable feature:	The only way of visually distiguishing the Venus Sea Fan from the similar Common Sea Fan (q.v.) is to take a close-up view of its structure: if the thin branches that constitute the lattice (and which houses the coral polyps) are rounded or domed on either side of the main plane, it most likely is a Venus Sea Fan.
Environment:	From shallow waters all the way down to 30 metres, but specimens have been seen as deep as 50 metres. Often oriented against the current for better water sifting action.
Behaviour:	Easily break under careless diver fin action, reason why shallow water specimens are often damaged.

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