Zoanthid Anemone Photos

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Parasitic zoanthid anemones cover, encrust and overwhelm a golden gorgonian. The gorgonian on the left has been completely parasitized by zoanthid anemones, while the gorgonian to the right remains free of zoanthids (for now). A garibaldi swims below the two sea fans. The golden gorgonian is a filter-feeding temperate colonial species that lives on the rocky bottom at depths between 50 to 200 feet deep. Each individual polyp is a distinct animal, together they secrete calcium that forms the structure of the colony. Gorgonians are oriented at right angles to prevailing water currents to capture plankton drifting by, Muricea californica, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Macrocystis pyrifera, San Clemente Island
Parasitic zoanthid anemones cover, encrust and overwhelm a golden gorgonian. The gorgonian on the left has been completely parasitized by zoanthid anemones, while the gorgonian to the right remains free of zoanthids (for now). A garibaldi swims below the two sea fans. The golden gorgonian is a filter-feeding temperate colonial species that lives on the rocky bottom at depths between 50 to 200 feet deep. Each individual polyp is a distinct animal, together they secrete calcium that forms the structure of the colony. Gorgonians are oriented at right angles to prevailing water currents to capture plankton drifting by.
Species: California golden gorgonian, Luminescent parazoanthid, Zoanthid anemone, Giant kelp, Muricea californica, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 38493  
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis, purple hydrocoral Stylaster californicus, and yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis, Allopora californica, Stylaster californicus, Epizoanthus giveni
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis, purple hydrocoral Stylaster californicus, and yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Species: Red gorgonian, Hydrocoral, Givens Zoanthid, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis, Allopora californica, Stylaster californicus, Epizoanthus giveni
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37251  
The rare yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, in large aggregations on the Yellow Wall at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, Epizoanthus giveni
The rare yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, in large aggregations on the Yellow Wall at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Species: Givens Zoanthid, Epizoanthus giveni
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37270  
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis, purple hydrocoral Stylaster californicus, and yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis, Allopora californica, Stylaster californicus, Epizoanthus giveni
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis, purple hydrocoral Stylaster californicus, and yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Species: Red gorgonian, Hydrocoral, Givens Zoanthid, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis, Allopora californica, Stylaster californicus, Epizoanthus giveni
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37271  
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis, purple hydrocoral Stylaster californicus, and yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis, purple hydrocoral Stylaster californicus, and yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 39540  
Gorgonian (yellow) that has been parasitized by zoanthid anemone (Savalia lucifica), and red gorgonian (Lophogorgia chilensis), Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis
Gorgonian (yellow) that has been parasitized by zoanthid anemone (Savalia lucifica), and red gorgonian (Lophogorgia chilensis), Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Species: Luminescent parazoanthid, Zoanthid anemone, Red gorgonian, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37185  
Parasitic zoanthid anemones cover and encrust and overwhelm a golden gorgonian, Catalina Head, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Catalina Island, California
Parasitic zoanthid anemones cover and encrust and overwhelm a golden gorgonian, Catalina Head.
Species: Luminescent parazoanthid, Zoanthid anemone, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37293  
Parasitic zoanthid anemones cover and encrust and overwhelm a golden gorgonian, Catalina Head, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Catalina Island, California
Parasitic zoanthid anemones cover and encrust and overwhelm a golden gorgonian, Catalina Head.
Species: Luminescent parazoanthid, Zoanthid anemone, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37294  
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis, purple hydrocoral Stylaster californicus, and yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis, purple hydrocoral Stylaster californicus, and yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 39539  
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis, purple hydrocoral Stylaster californicus, and yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis, Allopora californica, Stylaster californicus, Epizoanthus giveni
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis, purple hydrocoral Stylaster californicus, and yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Species: Red gorgonian, Hydrocoral, Givens Zoanthid, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis, Allopora californica, Stylaster californicus, Epizoanthus giveni
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37220  
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis with yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthis giveni, Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, California, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis, Epizoanthus giveni
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis with yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthis giveni, Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, California.
Species: Red gorgonian, Givens Zoanthid, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis, Epizoanthus giveni
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37269  
Purple hydrocoral Stylaster californicus and yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, Allopora californica, Stylaster californicus, Epizoanthus giveni
Purple hydrocoral Stylaster californicus and yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Species: Hydrocoral, Givens Zoanthid, Allopora californica, Stylaster californicus, Epizoanthus giveni
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37217  
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis with yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthis giveni, Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, California, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis, Epizoanthus giveni
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis with yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthis giveni, Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, California.
Species: Red gorgonian, Givens Zoanthid, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis, Epizoanthus giveni
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37218  
The rare yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, in large aggregations on the Yellow Wall at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, Epizoanthus giveni
The rare yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, in large aggregations on the Yellow Wall at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Species: Givens Zoanthid, Epizoanthus giveni
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37221  
The rare yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, in large aggregations on the Yellow Wall at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, Epizoanthus giveni
The rare yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, in large aggregations on the Yellow Wall at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Species: Givens Zoanthid, Epizoanthus giveni
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37222  
Purple hydrocoral Stylaster californicus and yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, and clusters of hydroids, Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, Allopora californica, Stylaster californicus, Epizoanthus giveni
Purple hydrocoral Stylaster californicus and yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, and clusters of hydroids, Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Species: Hydrocoral, Givens Zoanthid, Allopora californica, Stylaster californicus, Epizoanthus giveni
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37223  
The rare yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, in large aggregations on the Yellow Wall at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island
The rare yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, in large aggregations on the Yellow Wall at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 39531  
The rare yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, in large aggregations on the Yellow Wall at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island
The rare yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, in large aggregations on the Yellow Wall at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 39532  
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis with yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthis giveni, Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, California, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis, Epizoanthus giveni
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis with yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthis giveni, Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, California.
Species: Red gorgonian, Givens Zoanthid, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis, Epizoanthus giveni
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37219  
The rare yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, in large aggregations on the Yellow Wall at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, Epizoanthus giveni
The rare yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, in large aggregations on the Yellow Wall at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Species: Givens Zoanthid, Epizoanthus giveni
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37253  
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis with yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthis giveni, Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, California
Red gorgonian Leptogorgia chilensis with yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthis giveni, Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, California.
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 39533  
Parasitic zoanthid anemones (yellow) cover dead/dying brown gorgonian. Eagle Rock, Muricea fruticosa, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Catalina Island
Parasitic zoanthid anemones (yellow) cover dead/dying brown gorgonian. Eagle Rock.
Species: Luminescent parazoanthid, Zoanthid anemone, Muricea fruticosa, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 05341  
Purple hydrocoral Stylaster californicus and yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, Allopora californica, Stylaster californicus, Epizoanthus giveni
Purple hydrocoral Stylaster californicus and yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Species: Hydrocoral, Givens Zoanthid, Allopora californica, Stylaster californicus, Epizoanthus giveni
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37216  
Gorgonian (yellow) that has been parasitized by zoanthid anemone (Savalia lucifica), and red gorgonian (Leptogorgia chilensis), Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis
Gorgonian (yellow) that has been parasitized by zoanthid anemone (Savalia lucifica), and red gorgonian (Leptogorgia chilensis), Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Species: Red gorgonian, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37227  
The rare yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, in large aggregations on the Yellow Wall at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island, Epizoanthus giveni
The rare yellow zoanthid anemone Epizoanthus giveni, in large aggregations on the Yellow Wall at Farnsworth Banks, Catalina Island.
Species: Givens Zoanthid, Epizoanthus giveni
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 37252  
Juvenile sheephead swims above dead/dying brown gorgonian covered with yellow parasitic zoanthid anemones. Eagle Rock, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Semicossyphus pulcher, Catalina Island
Juvenile sheephead swims above dead/dying brown gorgonian covered with yellow parasitic zoanthid anemones. Eagle Rock.
Species: California sheephead wrasse, Luminescent parazoanthid, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Semicossyphus pulcher
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 07006  
Zoanthid anemones, Guadalupe Island, Mexico, Guadalupe Island (Isla Guadalupe)
Zoanthid anemones, Guadalupe Island, Mexico.
Location: Guadalupe Island (Isla Guadalupe), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 36162  
Zoanthid anemones, Coronado Islands, Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado)
Zoanthid anemones, Coronado Islands.
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 02488  
Parasitic zoanthid anemones (yellow) cover dead/dying gorgonian, brown gorgonian. Eagle Rock, Muricea fruticosa, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Catalina Island
Parasitic zoanthid anemones (yellow) cover dead/dying gorgonian, brown gorgonian. Eagle Rock.
Species: Luminescent parazoanthid, Zoanthid anemone, Muricea fruticosa, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 02530  
Zoanthid anemones, Santa Barbara Island
Zoanthid anemones.
Location: Santa Barbara Island, California
Image ID: 04743  
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All photographs copyright © Phillip Colla / Oceanlight.com, all rights reserved worldwide.