Sea fans & gorgonians

Gorgonian sea fans are some of the most photogenic structures on the reef — vivid reds, yellows, and purples fanning out in the current. Look closely and you'll find pygmy seahorses, basket stars, and other tiny creatures hiding among the branches.

Last updated April 2026

Giant sea fanSubergorgia hicksoni11 photos

Up to 200 cm15–50mCoral reef

An enormous fan-shaped colony that can span over a meter — yellow-brown to grey, with thick branches forming a mesh-like structure. Red Sea and Indian Ocean species.

Found on current-exposed walls and pinnacles in deeper water, often housing small fish and crabs within its branches.

Freckled hawkfish, Giant sea fan, Longnose Hawkfish

Observed at

Shabrur Umm Gamar(Hurghada)Jackson reef(Strait of Tiran)Gorgonian Garden(Hurghada)

Red Sea sea fanAnnella mollis9 photos

Up to 200 cm10–40mRocky reef

A large fan-shaped gorgonian of Red Sea and Indo-Pacific reefs, its dense branching mesh oriented across the current to filter plankton.

Observed at

Jackson reef(Strait of Tiran)Gorgonian Garden(Hurghada)Jackfish Alley(Sharm El Sheikh)

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