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 californicaLocation:
San Clemente Island,
CaliforniaImage ID:
30956Format: Digital 3:2
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