Alcyonacea Collection (page 5)

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

Soft coral seascape and rainbow runners, Indonesia

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

A vibrant and healthy coral reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia
A vibrant and healthy coral reef thrives in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical area in the western Pacific harbors an extraordinary array of marine organisms

Sweetlip fish hiding underneath clumps of colorful soft coral, Indonesia
Clumps of orange, red and white dendronephthya soft corals surrounding a ledge with a school of sweetlips hiding underneath, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Hard coral and soft coral seascape, Fiji

Soft coral on a Fijian reef

Soft coral polyps feeding at night, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

Gorgonian sea fans on a reef in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia. Diver in background

Sea fans illuminated by diver with twin lights, Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Red fan cora with sunburst, Papua New Guinea
Red fan coral (Melthaea sp) with sunburst taken at the Arches, Witu Islands, Papua New Guinea

Colony of red whip fan coral with fish species, Papua New Guinea
Colony of red whip fan coral (Ctenocella sp.) with various fish species, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

A blue starfish clings to a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia
A blue starfish (Linckia laevigata) clings to a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity

A pink anemonefish swims near its host anemone near the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. This beautiful, tropical region is home to an incredible variety of marine life

A brain coral and gorgonians grow off Turneffe Atoll in Belize
A brain coral and gorgonians grow in shallow water off Turneffe Atoll in Belize. This part of Central America is well known for its warm, clear waters and beautiful coral reefs

Red whip fan coral with diver, Papua New Guinea
Red whip fan coral (Ctenocella sp.) with diver, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

Cardinalfish surround a beautiful set of soft corals in Indonesia
Cardinalfish surround a beautiful set of colorful soft corals in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs

Beautiful soft corals and invertebrates on a reef in Indonesia
Brilliant soft corals and other colorful invertebrates compete for space to grow on a reef near the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia

A beautiful soft coral colony grows on a reef slope in Indonesia
A beautiful 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

Diver and soft coral, Fiji

A diver descends in a cavern above a gorgonian sea fan, Indonesia
A diver descends in a cavern above a gorgonian sea fan, Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia

A very rare Blue Sea Fan, Gorontalo, Indonesia
A very rare Blue Sea Fan, Acanthogorgia sp. found below 45 meters depth, with diver in background, Gorontalo, Indonesia

Diver looks on at a Raja Ampat reefscape covered in crinoids, Indonesia
Diver looks on at a Raja Ampat reefscape covered in crinoids, West Papua, Indonesia

Diver looks on at a bright red soft coral and sponge hanging from a cave
Diver looks on at a bright red soft coral Dendronephthya sp. and sponge hanging from the roof of a cave, Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Colony of red whip fan coral with diver, Papua New Guinea
Colony of red whip fan coral (Ctenocella sp.) with diver, Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea

Soft corals thrive in shallow water in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its beautiful reefs and spectacular marine biodiversity

A soft coral colony and invertebrates in Raja Ampat, Indonesia
A beautiful soft coral colony and other invertebrates grow in a channel of Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote region is known as the heart of the Coral Triangle

Soft corals, sponges, and other invertebrates on a reef in Indonesia
Soft corals, sponges, and other invertebrates compete for space on a beautiful reef in Indonesia. This tropical region, within the Coral Triangle, is home to an incredible variety of marine life

Vibrant soft coral colonies grow on a reef in Lembeh Strait
Vibrant soft coral colonies grow on a reef dropoff in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. This area is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

Colorful reef scene of orange anthias swimming amongst hard corals
Colorful reef scene with red, yellow and green hard corals, and a school of orange anthias, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

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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.