ResearchGate
Info
Acanthogorgia gracillima is a Pacific gorgonian whose range of occurrence is probably not yet complete (there is still a lot of potential area between Korea, Japan and California).
The coral forms richly branched bushy fans that measure no more than 10 cm at the widest point.
The colony appeared fragile and delicate, but it is actually a tough, spiny, not very flexible bush.
The polyps are spread all over the surface (not so much on the lower part of the main stem, just above the base), the polyps are not retractable.
Color: The coral is bright lemon yellow.
No colloquial names exist, but "gold gorgonian" was absolutely accurate.
Etymology. The species name "gracillima" comes from the Latin "gracili" meaning slender, this may be referring to the conspicuous very slender polyps and very slender tips in the crown of this species.
On this specimen there were at least two scale worms around the base of the polyps in two different areas of the colony.
The coral forms richly branched bushy fans that measure no more than 10 cm at the widest point.
The colony appeared fragile and delicate, but it is actually a tough, spiny, not very flexible bush.
The polyps are spread all over the surface (not so much on the lower part of the main stem, just above the base), the polyps are not retractable.
Color: The coral is bright lemon yellow.
No colloquial names exist, but "gold gorgonian" was absolutely accurate.
Etymology. The species name "gracillima" comes from the Latin "gracili" meaning slender, this may be referring to the conspicuous very slender polyps and very slender tips in the crown of this species.
On this specimen there were at least two scale worms around the base of the polyps in two different areas of the colony.
