Purple Sea Fan
Gorgonia mariae
Sighting evidence at Lobster Cave, Little Liuqiu Island
Large purple gorgonian fans frame the cave entrance at 10 meters, oriented perpendicular to the prevailing current to maximize filter feeding on passing plankton. Sea fan hawkfish perch motionless in the fan branches, camouflaged against the purple tissue and invisible until movement betrays them. The fans here are among the largest on the island and have been growing undisturbed inside the protected area for an estimated 15 to 20 years.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Purple Sea Fan is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.