fan coral
Flat marine colony
Fan coral is a type of coral that grows in flat, branching patterns resembling a fan or lattice.
These colonies attach to reef surfaces and orient perpendicular to water currents to capture food particles.
Found mainly in tropical and subtropical waters, fan corals are prized in aquariums and jewelry: The diver photographed the purple fan coral swaying in the current.
Fixed aquatic invertebrates
- tentaclesFlexible grasping appendages
- filter-feedingTrapping particles from water
- sessileAttached at base
- colonialOf occupied territories
invertebrate · cnidaria · anthozoa · zooplankton · planktonic · symbiosis · photosynthesis · calcium carbonate
Splitting into separate directions
- lacyHaving openwork patterns
- intricateElaborately detailed, many parts
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- filigreeDelicate twisted-wire ornamentation
feathery · graceful · elegant · lattice · fronds · plume · ornate · sculptural
For beauty, not function
- aquariumTank for keeping fish
- specimenIndividual for examination
- collectibleObject worth amassing
- jewelryOrnamental personal accessories
dried · harvested · CITES · poaching · sustainable · import · export · curio
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- benthicOf the sea bottom
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
subtidal · lagoon · atoll · barrier reef · tropical · currents · bleaching · acidification
Below the surface
- scubaPortable underwater breathing gear
- snorkelingSurface swimming with breathing tube
- visibilityRange of clear sight
- photographyCreating images from light
macro · Caribbean · Indo-Pacific · Red Sea · Maldives · Great Barrier Reef · night dive · marine park
polyps
Fixed aquatic invertebrates
- tentaclesFlexible grasping appendages
- filter-feedingTrapping particles from water
- sessileAttached at base
colonial · invertebrate · cnidaria · anthozoa · zooplankton · planktonic · symbiosis · photosynthesis · calcium carbonate · skeleton
branching
Splitting into separate directions
- lacyHaving openwork patterns
- intricateElaborately detailed, many parts
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
filigree · feathery · graceful · elegant · lattice · fronds · plume · ornate · sculptural · webbed
ornamental
For beauty, not function
- aquariumTank for keeping fish
- specimenIndividual for examination
- collectibleObject worth amassing
jewelry · dried · harvested · CITES · poaching · sustainable · import · export · curio · decoration
ecosystem
Interconnected organisms and surroundings
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- benthicOf the sea bottom
substrate · subtidal · lagoon · atoll · barrier reef · tropical · currents · bleaching · acidification · conservation
underwater
Below the surface
- scubaPortable underwater breathing gear
- snorkelingSurface swimming with breathing tube
- visibilityRange of clear sight
photography · macro · Caribbean · Indo-Pacific · Red Sea · Maldives · Great Barrier Reef · night dive · marine park