3 photos - 1 species


Introduction


Sea pens are an order of flowering animals that colonise the sand

and mud bottoms in all the world's oceans.

They usually live at greater depths,

only in the tropics are they also found in shallow water.

The strictly symmetrically arranged polyp colony

is very tough and strongly built.

Its shape is reminiscent of a feather.


Virgularia gustaviana

Short-quill sea pen

Maximum length: 60 cm

They mostly live on soft bottoms and usually retreat into the substrate during the day.

This is why they are very rarely seen by divers and snorkellers.

Fishes plankton from the sea.

Photo 1 Johnny: Bangka Island North Sulawesi

Photos 2 - 3 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North - Sulawesi