Gorgonian and Juvenile Sheephead Wrasse, #34186

California golden gorgonian, Garibaldi and Sheephead wrasse fishes on rocky reef, below kelp forest, underwater. 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.

Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 34186
Lat/Long: 33.46582, -118.59391 (Coordinates: 33° 27' 56.95" N, 118° 35' 38.06" W)
Format: Digital 2:3