Red gorgonian
Paramuricea clavata
Sighting evidence at Il Medico, Ustica Island
Photo: Frédéric ANDRE · CC BY-NC
Dense red gorgonian fans colonise the vertical walls at Il Medico from around 25 m downward, their branches oriented to catch the mild currents that run around the northwestern tip of the island. As long-lived suspension feeders, they are indicators of water quality and thermal stability; Ustica's offshore location and the marine reserve's protection from anchor damage have kept these populations intact while those on more accessible mainland coasts have suffered recurrent bleaching.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Red gorgonian is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.