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Red Cup Sponge with white Deep Water Gorgonian and black Brittlestars. South Coast, Grand Cayman Island - Depth 125 feet or 38 meters |
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| *We have often found the Red or
Orange Cup
Sponge (Mycale sp.) and the Black Brittle Star (Ophiothrix sp.)
occurring together, especially on deep walls, or shallower walls during
the night . Generally the Brittlestars hang from the mouth of the
sponge, but here on a deep wall off Grand Cayman's turbulent South Coast,
we found them together in the daytime. Visible also is a white
Deep Water Gorgonian (Icilogorgia Schrammi). Visible in the
background are the more commonly occurring color for this Gorgonian. The waters of Cayman's South coast exhibit considerably more motion than the North wall. Here the orientation of the sponge, and the scoured appearance of the wall indicate presence of a strong downward motion. Lighthouse Wall, South Coast, Grand Cayman Island - Depth 125 feet or 38 meters - Time 10:00 am |
