Sea Fan
Gorgonia species
A purple lattice-like soft coral that sometimes washes ashore after storms.
- Typical size
- 4 to 24 inches
- How often it turns up
- Uncommon
- Collecting
- Protected, do not collect
- Handling
- Safe to handle
Taking sea fans is prohibited in Florida, including washed-up pieces in the Keys. Photograph and leave in place.
No hazard when dry.
How to tell it apart
- Flat branching lattice network
- Purple to tan, fading to gray on the beach
- Flexible when fresh, brittle when dry
Found one?
Photograph it and BeachNut will rank the likely matches, then log it to your collection.
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