Zoanthid Anemone Photos, Parazoanthus lucificum

Parasitic zoanthid anemones cover, encrust and overwhelm a golden gorgonian. The gorgonian on the left has been completely parasitized by zoanthid anemones, while the gorgonian to the right remains free of zoanthids (for now). A garibaldi swims below the two sea fans. The golden gorgonian is a filter-feeding temperate colonial species that lives on the rocky bottom at depths between 50 to 200 feet deep. Each individual polyp is a distinct animal, together they secrete calcium that forms the structure of the colony. Gorgonians are oriented at right angles to prevailing water currents to capture plankton drifting by.
Species: California golden gorgonian, Luminescent parazoanthid, Zoanthid anemone, Giant kelp, Muricea californica, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 38493  

Gorgonian (yellow) that has been parasitized by zoanthid anemone (Savalia lucifica), and red gorgonian (Lophogorgia chilensis), Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Species: Luminescent parazoanthid, Zoanthid anemone, Red gorgonian, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37185  

Parasitic zoanthid anemones cover and encrust and overwhelm a golden gorgonian, Catalina Head.
Species: Luminescent parazoanthid, Zoanthid anemone, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37293  

Parasitic zoanthid anemones cover and encrust and overwhelm a golden gorgonian, Catalina Head.
Species: Luminescent parazoanthid, Zoanthid anemone, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37294  

Parasitic zoanthid anemones (yellow) cover dead/dying brown gorgonian. Eagle Rock.
Species: Luminescent parazoanthid, Zoanthid anemone, Muricea fruticosa, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 05341  

Juvenile sheephead swims above dead/dying brown gorgonian covered with yellow parasitic zoanthid anemones. Eagle Rock.
Species: California sheephead wrasse, Luminescent parazoanthid, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Semicossyphus pulcher
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 07006  

Parasitic zoanthid anemones (yellow) cover dead/dying gorgonian, brown gorgonian. Eagle Rock.
Species: Luminescent parazoanthid, Zoanthid anemone, Muricea fruticosa, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 02530  

Juvenile sheephead swims above dead/dying brown gorgonian covered with yellow parasitic zoanthid anemones. Eagle Rock.
Species: California sheephead wrasse, Luminescent parazoanthid, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Semicossyphus pulcher
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 07007  

Parasitic zoanthid anemones (yellow) cover dead/dying brown gorgonian. Eagle Rock.
Species: Luminescent parazoanthid, Zoanthid anemone, Muricea fruticosa, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 05342