NOAA Okeanos Explorer
Info
Horn corals of the genus Nicella belong to the family Ellisellidae, gorgonian-like octocorals.
Unlike many other gorgonians, the species of the genus captivate with beautiful and intense colors.
In 1973 a new species was discovered in a deep reef habitat around Jamaica in the Caribbean and later named Nicella goreaui, the species name is dedicated to Dr. Goreau, the scientist who determined the species to be new.
One of the largest known colonies, it is 60 cm high and 59 cm in width, with a basal diameter of 3.8 mm and a 32 mm in width.
Color. Most colonies are usually bright orange with even lighter orange calyxes; some colonies are darker red-shell orange or even pure white.
All corals of the genus Nicella are ahermatypic, meaning they must generate their life energy by catching plankton and marine snow.
Unlike many other gorgonians, the species of the genus captivate with beautiful and intense colors.
In 1973 a new species was discovered in a deep reef habitat around Jamaica in the Caribbean and later named Nicella goreaui, the species name is dedicated to Dr. Goreau, the scientist who determined the species to be new.
One of the largest known colonies, it is 60 cm high and 59 cm in width, with a basal diameter of 3.8 mm and a 32 mm in width.
Color. Most colonies are usually bright orange with even lighter orange calyxes; some colonies are darker red-shell orange or even pure white.
All corals of the genus Nicella are ahermatypic, meaning they must generate their life energy by catching plankton and marine snow.
