Gorgonians are fixed invertebrate animals belonging to the group of Cnidarians such as corals. They are organisms made up of polyps, with eight tentacles, which live in colonies. Their general shape evokes a fan and they have bright colours (red, yellow, purple, white) constituting magnificent underwater landscapes.
Often attached to rocks, some species can also be found on sandy-muddy bottoms.. Gorgonians are often shelters for various species, such as seahorses, and contribute to the high biodiversity of the Mediterranean coralligenous community.
In the Mediterranean, the following species can be found :
- the white sea fan (Eunicella singularis),
- the yellow sea fan (Eunicella cavolini),
- the purple sea fan (Paramuricea clavata),
- the pink sea fan (Eunicella verrucosa)
- the famous red coral (Corallium rubrum).