| Like
stony corals, sea fans and other gorgonians are susceptible to disease
and predation. Black-Band Disease and Red-Band
Disease, two diseases commonly observed in stony corals also affects
gorgonians. Other conditions observed on gorgonians include a fungal
disease, aspergillosis, Skeleton
Anomalies, and various signs of Predation
including that caused by molluscs and worms. |
Flamingoe tongue snails (Cyphoma gibbosum) feeding on a branching
gorgonian and a sea fan. The feeding scar is indicated |
In addition to hard-shelled gastropods, nudibranchs also prey on
gorgonian tissue, as shown here. |
Sea
fan with tumors |
Sea fan with
a fungal disease termed aspergillosis |
Sea fan affected by red-band disease and being overgrwon by
Millepora fire coral. |
Sea fan being overgrown by fire coral |
Black-band disease on a sea fan, Gorgonia ventalina |
|
