Yellow gorgonian

Photo: fabri · CC BY-NC

A smaller and shallower-dwelling fan coral than Paramuricea clavata, Eunicella cavolini forms bright yellow colonies on rocky slopes from 15 to 50 metres depth. It is a key structural species in the transitional zone where posidonia meadow meets rocky reef, providing settlement substrate and shelter for a range of invertebrates and small fish. Binidali's protected conditions allow colonies to grow without the anchor and fin damage that afflicts more exposed sites.