Deep-water sea fan (Iciligorgia schrammi)
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from SeaLifeBase, occurrence map from GBIF, description from Wikipedia.
Iciligorgia schrammi, common names deepwater sea fan and black sea fan is a species of gorgonian sea fan in the family Melithaeidae. It is found in tropical parts of the Atlantic Ocean. This species was first described in 1870 by the French naturalist Édouard Placide Duchassaing de Fontbressin.
- Scientific name
- Iciligorgia schrammi
- Authority
- Duchassaing, 1870
- Family
- Melithaeidae
- Order
- Malacalcyonacea
- Depth range
- 11–366 m
- Habitat zone
- sessile
- Gbif occurrence records
- 553
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Cnidaria · Class: Octocorallia · Order: Malacalcyonacea · Family: Melithaeidae · Genus: Iciligorgia.
Accepted name: Iciligorgia schrammi · Authority: Duchassaing, 1870 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 290178.
Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Iciligorgia ballini Kükenthal, 1908.
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=290178 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)
Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Iciligorgia schrammi. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Depth range: 11–366 m · Habitat zone: sessile.
SeaLifeBase notes: Found on bay and nearshore, and slope (Ref. 109199).
Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 44355) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Iciligorgia-schrammi.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)
553 georeferenced occurrence records for Iciligorgia schrammi are published through GBIF from 31 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 93 distinct locations from a sample of 553 records, omitting 4 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.
Most records by country or area: Cuba (122); Guadeloupe (90); Mexico (55); Martinique (51); United States of America (49); Virgin Islands (U.S.) (39); Cayman Islands (17); Bahamas (16); Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (14); Trinidad and Tobago (13); Brazil (12); Honduras (8); Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (8); Belize (6); Colombia (6).
Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Gulf of Mexico; Cuban Exclusive Economic Zone; United States Exclusive Economic Zone.
Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2262126) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2262126&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=290178 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Description and natural history (Wikipedia)
Iciligorgia schrammi is the largest of the sea fans and large specimens are much bigger than gorgonians. It is dichotomously branched in a single plane with the branches much further apart than other sea fans, giving it a ragged appearance. However, small specimens do not give this impression. The main branches are somewhat flattened and are 3 to 5 mm in width. The polyps protrude from the edges of the branches. Their calyces are dome-shaped and have eight separate lobes. The polyps are stiffened with sclerites, which are curved spindles and rods which are arranged as a collar with pointed projections. The colour of this sea fan is usually light brown to bright red. Several brittle stars were associated with it in this habitat.
In the Atlantic Ocean, this species is found from south Florida southwards to Brazil, and in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. A single specimen was found in the South Atlantic Bight in Georgia in 2007 which is a northward extension to its range.
Iciligorgia schrammi normally grows at depths from 3 to 368 metres. It lives on vertical walls, standing out perpendicularly, and can also grow in deep water where the water is clear and the current high on slope breaks.
Source: Wikipedia: Iciligorgia schrammi — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iciligorgia_schrammi (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
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