SEA FANS FROM AROUND THE WORLD BLACK AND BAHAMA MANY SHAPES AND SIZES

LISTING One 13" to 15" Bahama Gorgonia purple Fan, sometimes called the Venus Fan.

Descriptionthese sea creatures are native to the Florida/coastline, Western Atlantic and Caribbean. Some Gorgonias have been found in most seas and oceans of the world. They prefer warm salt water seas. Specimens have been found in shallows no deeper than 3 feet or in depth to 20,000 feet. ;Most live on reefs, where they attach to rocks or corals and orient their arms (fans) to the prevailing currents catching unsuspecting prey. These are stinging -celled animals (not a plant), related to the sea anemone and can feed on prey much larger than itself.

Listing PictureThe picture provides a good illustration of the general color and shape of the creature. The Bahama fans can grow to more than 60 feet. When this happens, they are trimmed to make them more shippable. Also they seldom have all solid filled in branches. Some have large holes. Again, fans are easily trimmed and shaped and the specimen you receive will generally be symmetrical. The color can vary with each sea fan and sometimes the color of a particular sea fan can range from lighter to darker, this depends upon how much light reflected on parts of the fan. The process of feeding on the prey caught in the fan arms can cause color fluctuation. If you receive a fan that is curled, the curled portion can easily be flattened by soaking the fan over night and when pliable stretch it our on a dry hard suface and place weights on it. The fan will dry in the shape you placed it in. If symmetry is important, trim the fan with heavy duty shears, shears you use on outdoor bushes.

BLACK SEA FAN

These Sea Fans are not a protected species. They are grown thru aquaculture. The Sea Fan is a Gorgonian. Individual tiny polyps form colonies that are normally erect, flattened, branching, and reminiscent of a fan. Others may be whip like, bushy, or even encrusting. A colony can be several feet high and across but only a few inches thick. These colonies may be brightly colored, often purple, red, black or yellow. Photosynthetic gorgonians can be successfully kept in captive reef aquariums. These are the only Sea Fans that are safe for aquariums.

The structure of a gorgonian colony varies. The suborder Holaxonia skeletons are formed from a flexible, horny substance called gorgonin. The suborder Scleraxonia variety of gorgonians are supported by a skeleton of tightly grouped calcareous spicules. There are also species which encrust like coral. Most of holaxonia and sclerazonia, however, do not attach themselves to a hard substrate. Instead, they anchor themselves in mud or sand.

Each gorgonian polyp has eight tentacles which catch plankton and particulate matter that is consumed. This process, called filter feeding, is prompted when the fan is spread across the ocean current to maximise water flow to the gorgonian and generate its food supply.

Gorgonians are found primarily in shallow waters, though some have been found in depths of several thousand feet. The size, shape, and appearance of the gorgonians are highly dependent on their location. The more fan-shaped and flexible gorgonians are generally found in shallower areas with strong currents; the taller, thinner, and stiffer gorgonians tend to be found in deeper, calmer waters.

Gorgonians are classified in the phylum Cnidaria, class Anthozoa, alongside the orders Alcyonacea (soft corals) and Pennatulacea (sea pens). There are about 500 different species of gorgonians found in the oceans of the world, primarily in the shallow waters of the Atlantic near Florida, Bermuda, and the West Indies.

Black Sea Fan with Shell Base

One Black Sea Fan set in a Resin Shell Base, will stand. Safe for fish tanks (shape can vary) 7 to 10 inch....... $9.10

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