General Description
Lots of generally poorly documented variety between species. Generally golden, some species more green or white, but all iridescent.
Biology
Chrysogorgiidae is a family of iridescent corals found in the deep sea. They have long branches which often take a spiral form, and are calcareous corals, despite being soft bodied. These corals are often regarded as the most beautiful and remarkable of all corals, however they remain poorly understood scientifically and very little is known about their biology.
Distribution
Worldwide, documented in abyssal waters off Australia.
Habitat
Deep sea marine environments, depths from 100 - 1200 metres.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Soft bodied, often spiral branched, golden coloured coral.
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Colours
Gold, Green, White
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Habitats
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Diet
Plankton or Particles
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Endemicity
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Conservation Statuses
CITES: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, Fisheries Act 1995: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
Deep ( > 30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864
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Common Name
golden coral
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Phylum
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Class
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Subclass
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Order
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Suborder
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Family