Nautilus Field Guide: Iridogorgia Firework Corals

The Nautilus Field Guide series is here to take you on a nerdy deep dive into the remarkable animals that call the deep sea home.  If you love deep-sea creatures, marine biology fun facts, or just saying “what is THAT?”—this series is for you.

Growing five or more meters tall, swaying above the seafloor are colorful explosions of deep-sea “fireworks” that delight the eyes of anyone lucky enough to spot them. The Iridogorgia genus of soft corals is easily recognizable for its distinctive, large spiraling stalk and fluffy silhouette. Learn more about this deep-sea soft coral group in this episode of Nautilus Field Guide.