Sea pens are sometimes brightly coloured; the orange sea pen (Ptilosarcus gurneyi) is a notable example. Rarely found above depths of 10 metres (33 ft), sea pens prefer deeper waters …

Sea pen, any of the 300 species of the order Pennatulacea, colonial invertebrate marine animals of the class Anthozoa (phylum Cnidaria). The name sea pen derives from their resemblance to …

Sea pens are colonial marine cnidarians that anchor in soft seabeds, providing shelter for small fish, crustaceans, and other benthic organisms.

Aug 18, 2025 · Sea pens are marine organisms that often resemble quill pens or feathers. Despite their plant-like appearance, these complex animals reside across the world’s oceans. Their …

Each sea pen is a colony of polyps (small anemonelike individuals) working together for the survival of the whole. The primary polyp loses its tentacles and becomes the stalk of the sea …

Like all other corals, sea pens are filter feeders, capturing plankton and detritus (dead plant and animal matter) in their tentacles to eat. The main predators of sea pens are nudibranchs (sea …

One of the most distinctive groups of "soft corals," or octocorals, is the Pennatulacea, or "sea pens." As is the case for all octocorals, sea pens are actually colonies of polyps.

This section contains interesting facts about sea pens (Pennatulacea), including where they live, what they eat, and how they reproduce.

Apr 27, 2025 · Sea pens anchor themselves in sandy or muddy substrates using their root-like peduncles. In some species, such as the tall sea pen, they can rise up to 2 meters in height. …

Jul 3, 2025 · This article provides a comprehensive overview of sea pens—their defining traits, habitats, and feeding habits—helping you appreciate these fascinating marine organisms.