Sea Fan
Gorgonia species
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
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
Where to find these in Florida
Beaches rated very good or excellent for tidepool life. Each page shows today’s score, the best window and access details.
- Bathtub Reef Beach · Stuart
- Anne's Beach · Islamorada
- Bahia Honda State Park · Big Pine Key
- Bathtub Beach · Stuart
- Caspersen Beach · Venice
- Curry Hammock State Park · Marathon
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park · Key West
- Harry Harris Park · Tavernier
- Higgs Beach · Key West
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park · Key Largo
- Long Key State Park · Long Key
- Marineland Beach · Marineland
Found one?
Photograph it and BeachNut ranks the likely matches with a confidence read, then logs it to your collection with the beach and date.
Browsing beaches and the full field guide is free. A free account logs unlimited finds and gives you three photo identifications a day.
More tidepool life in the field guide
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