Blacksmith Chromis and California golden gorgonian, Chromis punctipinnis

Blacksmith Chromis and California golden gorgonian on underwater rocky reef, San Clemente Island. 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. USA, Chromis punctipinnis, Muricea californica, natural history stock photograph, photo id 30956
Blacksmith Chromis and California golden gorgonian on underwater rocky reef, San Clemente Island. 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. USA

Species: Blacksmith, California golden gorgonian, Chromis punctipinnis, Muricea californica
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 30956
Format: Digital 3:2
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