NOAA Okeanos Explorer
Info
The largest known gorgonian in the world, Iridogorgia bella was discovered in 2015 at a depth of 4,482 feet near Mokumanamana in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Hawaiii.
With a total length of 6 meters, this gorgonian is as large as an adult giraffe!
The species name "bella" means "beautiful", one look at the delicate and visually very appealing shape of the coral makes this immediately clear.
This beauty lives in complete darkness in cold water zones and must feed by catching zooplankton and marine snow.
The funnel-shaped or net-like structure with many fine and dense branches is ideal for catching plankton drifting by.
With a total length of 6 meters, this gorgonian is as large as an adult giraffe!
The species name "bella" means "beautiful", one look at the delicate and visually very appealing shape of the coral makes this immediately clear.
This beauty lives in complete darkness in cold water zones and must feed by catching zooplankton and marine snow.
The funnel-shaped or net-like structure with many fine and dense branches is ideal for catching plankton drifting by.
