gorgonians
Gorgonians, also known as sea fans or sea whips, are a type of soft coral found in warm ocean waters. They belong to the subclass Octocorallia and are characterized by their branching, fan-like structures. Gorgonians provide habitat and shelter for various marine organisms, contributing to the biodiversity of coral reefs.
These corals are primarily composed of a protein called gorgonin, which gives them flexibility and strength. Gorgonians can be found at various depths, often attached to hard substrates. They feed on plankton and other small particles filtered from the water, using their tiny polyps to capture food.