Blacksmith Chromis and California golden gorgonian, Chromis punctipinnis, San Clemente Island

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

Keywords: algae, animal, animalia, blacksmith, california, california golden gorgonian, channel islands, chromis punctipinnis, coral, creature, environment, gorgonian, habitat, invertebrate, island, kelp forest, marine, marine invertebrate, marine plant, muricea californica, nature, ocean, oceans, offshore, outdoors, outside, pacific, pacific ocean, plant, san clemente island, scene, scenery, scenic, sea, sea fan, soft coral, southern channel islands, submarine, underwater, usa, wildlife

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Categories:

Animal > Marine Invertebrate > Coral > Soft Coral > Gorgonian
Location > Oceans > Pacific > California (USA) / Baja California (Mexico) > Channel Islands > San Clemente Island
Location > USA > California > San Clemente Island
Subject > Technique > Underwater

This professional quality stock photo can be licensed in high resolution form by contacting the photographer: Phillip Colla, photos@oceanlight.com, (760) 707-7153, more info and photographer bio.