Deepwater Sea Fan

About

The deepwater sea fan (Iciligorgia schrammi) is a gorgonian coral native to the western Atlantic, found along the coastlines of the United States and Canada. In the wild it occupies a surprisingly broad depth range, from relatively shallow subtidal zones down to well over 300 meters, which makes it one of the more depth-tolerant sea fans you'll encounter. It grows in a classic fan-like, branching form and is typically dark in coloration, which accounts for its common alternate name, the black sea fan. Like all gorgonians, it is sessile. It anchors itself to hard substrate and filter feeds from the water column rather than relying heavily on photosynthesis, which is worth keeping in mind when thinking about its care. Its subtropical origins mean it comes from cooler, nutrient-richer waters than many of the Indo-Pacific corals that dominate the hobby. Source data lists it as beginner-friendly and reef safe, which is reasonable for an experienced hand comfortable with non-photosynthetic or low-light corals, though consistent feeding will be the key to keeping it long-term rather than lighting intensity. Give it solid placement, steady flow, and regular target feeding and it can be a genuinely rewarding addition.