Gorgonian sea fan
A gorgonian sea fan is a colony of small coral-like animals supported by a branching, fan-shaped skeleton.
Also known as: sea fan, gorgonian coral
How big is it?
1.5 m tall
Also 4.921 ft
Defined colony height · defined specimen
Typical recorded range: 50 cm to 2 m.
A little perspective
About the same scale as Brain coral colony.
Brain coral colony: A brain coral colony is a living mound-shaped formation of coral polyps that secrete a grooved, dome-like calcium carbonate skeleton.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Gorgonian sea fan
A defined mature gorgonian sea-fan colony 1.5 m high and 1.2 m wide. Species, current exposure and breakage produce highly variable branching forms; the holdfast is included and attached reef rock is excluded.
Smithsonian Ocean — Corals and coral reefs
The marked defined colony height is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Brain coral colony
A defined massive brain-coral colony 1.5 m across with a 900 kg wet skeletal mass. Species, growth form and cavities vary; the living grooved dome, not attached reef rock, defines the diameter.
Smithsonian Ocean — Corals and coral reefs
The marked defined colony diameter is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 1.5 m
For comparison, this page uses defined colony height. This is labelled defined specimen: an explicit comparison model rather than a claim that every example has the same value. The recorded range is 50 cm to 2 m.
A defined mature gorgonian sea-fan colony 1.5 m high and 1.2 m wide. Species, current exposure and breakage produce highly variable branching forms; the holdfast is included and attached reef rock is excluded.
The marked vertical span follows the named feature; transparent margins and unmeasured details do not alter it. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Gorgonian sea fan dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 m | 50 cm to 2 m | defined specimen | |
| 1.2 m | 40 cm to 1.8 m | defined specimen |
Around this scale
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These links use compatible length records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · Living thingsSheep1.2 mA sheep is a domesticated animal kept for its wool, meat, and milk.
Around the same scale · Living thingsBrain coral colony1.5 mA brain coral colony is a living mound-shaped formation of coral polyps that secrete a grooved, dome-like calcium carbonate skeleton.
Nearest higher value · Living thingsElkhorn coral colony2 mAn elkhorn coral colony is a branching formation of the coral species Acropora palmata, found in shallow Caribbean reefs.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- Smithsonian Ocean — Corals and coral reefsGorgonian colony anatomy and branching growth; the atlas uses an explicitly defined mature sea-fan specimen.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
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