Whip fan explained

The whip fan (Eunicella albicans), also called the flagellar sea fan, is a species of gorgonian sea fan in the family Eunicellidae.^[1]

Description

This fan is orange and has flexible whip-like branches. It may grow up to 70 cm tall and have branches of 0.3 to 0.5 cm wide.^{[2] [3]}

Distribution

This sea fan is found only around the South African coast from the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula to Port Elizabeth in 10–30 m of water. It is endemic to this region.

Ecology

This sea fan is preyed upon by the whip fan nudibranch, Duvaucelia odhneri, previously known as Tritonia nilsodhneri, which closely resembles the feeding fan.

Notes and References

1. McFadden, C.S.; Cordeiro, R.; Williams, G.; van Ofwegen, L. (2023). World List of Octocorallia. Eunicella albicans (Kölliker, 1865). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=213054 on 2023-10-26
2. Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa
3. Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008.