Page 45 - Caribbean Reef Life Demo
P. 45
BUSHY SEA WHIP
(Ellisella schmitti) < 60 cm / 2 ft
A single stalk branches and re-branches, forming a fan shape. Bright red with white polyps. Found under ledges.
Sea whips can sometimes be mistaken for black corals p. 90 . Some species can be found in similar areas: at greater depths and under ledges and overhangs. Sea whips are octocorals with eight tentacles on each polyp, whereas the black coral polyp only has six tentacles.
(Ellisella elongata) < 2.5 m / 8 ft
Long whip-like stalk, tapering slightly towards the tip. Red to orange with white polyps. Found on deeper reefs.
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GROOVED BLADE SEA WHIP (Pterogorgia guadalupensis) < 60 cm / 2 ft Flattened purple branches in fan or bush shapes. White ol s e tend from roo es runnin do n oth ed es.
