Zoanthid Anemone Photos, Parazoanthus lucificum

Photos of Parazoanthus lucificum, Zoanthid anemone
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, Muricea californica, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Macrocystis pyrifera, San Clemente Island
Gorgonian (yellow) that has been parasitized by zoanthid anemone (Savalia lucifica), and red gorgonian (Lophogorgia chilensis), Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis
Parasitic zoanthid anemones cover and encrust and overwhelm a golden gorgonian, Catalina Head, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Catalina Island, California
Parasitic zoanthid anemones cover and encrust and overwhelm a golden gorgonian, Catalina Head, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Catalina Island, California
Parasitic zoanthid anemones (yellow) cover dead/dying brown gorgonian. Eagle Rock, Muricea fruticosa, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Catalina Island
Juvenile sheephead swims above dead/dying brown gorgonian covered with yellow parasitic zoanthid anemones. Eagle Rock, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Semicossyphus pulcher, Catalina Island
Parasitic zoanthid anemones (yellow) cover dead/dying gorgonian, brown gorgonian. Eagle Rock, Muricea fruticosa, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Catalina Island
Juvenile sheephead swims above dead/dying brown gorgonian covered with yellow parasitic zoanthid anemones. Eagle Rock, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Semicossyphus pulcher, Catalina Island
Parasitic zoanthid anemones (yellow) cover dead/dying brown gorgonian. Eagle Rock, Muricea fruticosa, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Catalina Island
All photographs copyright © Phillip Colla / Oceanlight.com, all rights reserved worldwide.