Spiny Sea Fan
Muricea muricataThe spiny Sea Fan doesn't look like the other Sea Fans, it looks more like a sea rod. At close range you can see why it's called spiny. Short and branching in a plane, the Spiny Sea Rod grows in shallow as well as 60 foot depths. They are always a golden hay color. The first picture is not the typical Spiny Sea Fan appearance. This could be either the Spiny Sea Fan, but is a bit taller than the norm, or it could be an Open Spiny Sea Fan, which is uncommon in this region. Microscopic examination would be required. Usual height is just about a foot tall,.
![Spiny Sea Fan - Muricea muricata](picture_library/coral/octocorals/spiny-sea-fan_2831.jpg)
![Spiny Sea Fan - Muricea muricata](picture_library/coral/octocorals/spiny-sea-fan_2834.jpg)
![Spiny Sea Fan - Muricea muricata](picture_library/coral/octocorals/spiny-sea-fan_2835.jpg)
![Spiny Sea Fan - Muricea muricata](picture_library/coral/octocorals/spiny-sea-fan_2836.jpg)
![Spiny Sea Fan - Muricea muricata](picture_library/coral/octocorals/spiny-sea-fan_2833.jpg)
![Spiny Sea Fan - Muricea muricata](picture_library/coral/octocorals/spiney-sea-fan_3454.jpg)
![Spiny Sea Fan - Muricea muricata](picture_library/coral/octocorals/spiny-sea-fan_2586.jpg)