About Iciligorgia schrammi Duchassaing, 1870
Iciligorgia schrammi is the largest sea fan species, and large individuals are far bigger than other gorgonians. It branches dichotomously within a single plane, and its branches are spaced much further apart than those of other sea fans, giving the species a ragged appearance. Small specimens do not show this ragged look. Its main branches are somewhat flattened, measuring 3 to 5 millimetres (0.12 to 0.20 inches) in width. Polyps protrude from the edges of the branches, and their calyces are dome-shaped with eight separate lobes. The polyps are stiffened by sclerites, which are curved spindles and rods arranged as a collar with pointed projections. The colour of this sea fan is usually light brown to bright red. Multiple brittle stars have been found associated with this species in its natural habitat. In the Atlantic Ocean, Iciligorgia schrammi occurs from south Florida south to Brazil, and is also found in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. A single specimen was recorded in the South Atlantic Bight off Georgia in 2007, which marks a northward extension of the species' known range. Iciligorgia schrammi typically grows at depths ranging from 3 to 368 metres. It grows on vertical walls, standing out perpendicularly from the surface. It can also grow in deep clear water with strong currents on slope breaks.
