Alcyonacea Collection (page 4)

A scorpionfish is hidden among soft corals on a reef in Indonesia
A small scorpionfish is hidden among soft corals and other colorful invertebrates on a reef near the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia

Colorful reef with gorgonian sea fan, soft corals and school of anthias fish
Colorful reef with gorgonian sea fan, multi-colored soft corals and school of anthias fish, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

A colony of sea whips grows on a coral reef in Indonesia
A colony of sea whips grows on a beautiful coral reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity

Red soft coral with crinoid and anthias fish, Papua New Guinea
Red soft coral (Dendronephthya sp) with crinoid, anthias and boat silhouette in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

Red soft coral, Australia

Soft coral, Fiji

Colorful reef scene with soft coral, Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
Colorful reef scene with orange and red dendronephthya and cabbage soft coral, Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia

A manta ray swimming above a colorful reef in Indonesia
A manta ray (Manta alfredi) swimming above a colorful reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity

Reef-building corals grow inside Palaus lagoon which is studded with limestone islands. This Micronesian destination is popular among scuba divers and snorkelers due to its spectacular coral reefs

Sunlight descends underwater and over a set of whip corals growing on a reef inside Palaus lagoon. Palau is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers

A beautiful starfish lays on a thriving reef in Indonesia
A beautiful starfish (Linckia laevigata) lays on a thriving reef in Indonesia. This tropical region, within the Coral Triangle, is home to an incredible variety of marine life

Diver explores a coral reef in Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia
Diver explores a coral reef scape in the remote Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia

Anthias fish and soft corals, Fiji, Pacific Ocean

A large red gorgonian sea fan and black crinoid, Fiji
A large red gorgonian sea fan and black crinoid, Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Colourful sea fan seascape, Papua New Guinea
Colourful sea fan (Melithaea sp.) with diver, Restorf Island, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

A beautiful soft coral colony on a coral reef in Indonesia
A beautiful soft coral colony (Dendronephthya sp.) grows on a reef slope in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs

Leather corals grow in the shallow waters in the Solomon Islands, Melanesia. This region, in the eastern part of the Coral Triangle

Corals compete for space to grow on a reef in Indonesia
Corals compete for space to grow on a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This part of the Coral Triangle is known for its high marine biodiversity

A soft coral colony grows on a shipwreck off the island of Guadalcanal
A beautiful soft coral colony grows on a shipwreck off the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands

Tangle of wiry red corals with black crinoid, Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia

A blue starfish clings to a coral reef in Indonesia
A blue starfish (Linckia laevigata) clings to a coral reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia

A large soft coral colony grows on a reef slope in Indonesia
A large soft coral colony grows on a reef slope in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity

Underwater crevice through a coral reef, Belize

Sea whips and coral, Australia

Diver looks on at sponges, soft corals and crinoids in a colorful Komodo seascape, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

A pair of many-spotted sweetlips on a soft coral covered reef
A pair of many-spotted sweetlips (Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides) on a soft coral covered reef, Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Soft coral polyps growing on a reef in Indonesia wait for plankton to fall within their grasp

A strong current sweeps across a reef slope in Indonesia
A strong current sweeps across a reef slope in Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Trumpetfish, Belize

A diver peers through a red sea fan, Papua New Guinea
Red sea fan (Melithaea sp) with diver peering through with torch, Susans reef, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

Diver swims by a soft coral reef, Indonesia

Diver swimms above soft coral, Fiji

Orange soft coral and sea whip, Australia

Grand sea whip with diver in background, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Grand sea whip (Ellisella grandis), with diver in background, Gorontalo, Indonesia

Golden sweepers surround soft corals in Indonesia
Golden sweepers surround soft corals in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity

Beautiful orange soft corals on a current-swept reef in Indonesia
Beautiful orange soft corals thrive on a current-swept reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity

A soft coral crab clings to its host soft coral on a reef
A soft coral crab (Hoplophrys oatesi) clings to its host soft coral on a reef in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. This area is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

Cardinalfish swimming above soft corals in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This part of the Coral Triangle is known for its high marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for scuba divers

Diver over soft coral seascape, Indonesia

A colorful Komodo seascape with crinoids, Indonesia
A colorful Komodo seascape with crinoids, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Reefscape in Raja Ampat covered in gorgonians, Indonesia
Reefscape in Raja Ampat covered in gorgonians, West Papua, Indonesia

Colorful reefs covered in orange Dendronephthya soft corals
Colorful reefs in Raja Ampat covered in orange Dendronephthya soft corals, West Papua, Indonesia

Soft coral ghost goby lying on white and red soft coral
Soft coral ghost goby (Pleurosicya boldinghi) lying on white and red soft coral, Dampier Strait, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Fragile corals grow in shallow water in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This region is known as the heart of the Coral Triangle and houses the highest marine biodiversity on Earth

School of anthias fish swimming over colorful soft coral, Philippines
School of orange and yellow anthias swimming over orange dendronephthya soft coral bushes, Cebu, Philippines

A colorful, healthy coral reef thrives in Indonesia
A colorful, healthy coral reef thrives in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity

A scuba diver explores a reef with a large barrel sponge, Indonesia
A scuba diver explores a reef in Komodo National Park where large barrel sponges grow. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity

A bright garibaldi near a sea fan with streaming sunrays, Catalina Island, California

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Alcyonacea, also known as soft corals, are a mesmerizing sight in the underwater world. In the vibrant coral reefs of Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia, Gorgonian sea fans (Acalycigorgia sp) sway gracefully with the current. Their delicate branches create an enchanting display of colors and patterns. Amongst these gorgonian sea fans, Sea whip corals (Ellisella ceratophyta) thrive alongside Ring-tailed cardinalfish. The intricate structures of the sea whips provide shelter and protection for these small fish, creating a harmonious ecosystem. In Egypt's Red Sea, kaleidoscopic images of soft corals (Dendronephthya sp) come to life. Their vivid hues paint the underwater landscape with shades of reds and pinks. Encrusting sponges and Pygmy sweepers find solace amidst this thriving coral reef community. Venturing further into West Papua's Indonesian waters reveals another spectacle - Soft corals (Dendronephthya sp. ) growing on the seabed. These resilient organisms add depth and texture to their surroundings while providing essential habitats for countless marine species. Triton Bay near Kaimana is home to flower tree soft corals (Umbellulifera sp. ), showcasing their ethereal beauty beneath the surface. As if plucked from a dreamland, these delicate structures captivate divers with their elegance. The interconnectedness between different marine creatures becomes evident when observing Flamingo tongue cowries preying upon common sea fans like Gorgonia ventalina in East End Grand Cayman's Caribbean Sea. This complex relationship highlights nature's balance even within seemingly fierce interactions. Carl's Ultimate dive site in Papua New Guinea offers a glimpse into a healthy coral reef landscape teeming with life. Here Alcyonacea thrives alongside other diverse forms of marine life creating a vibrant and thriving ecosystem.