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Menella Sea Fan
AdvancedMenella rigida
A red sea fan that forks repeatedly from a single trunk into an upright fan 30-50 cm tall. The tissue is blood-red and the horny, dark brown axis is flexible. Branches do not fuse and thicken at the tips.
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperature
24〜27℃
Lifespan
Little data available
Size
30-50 cm tall (Nipponica)
Diet
Must be fed (fine particulate and plankton-type food)
About
Menella rigida is a gorgonian octocoral and the species that carries the standard Japanese name Akayagi on WoRMS. It was formerly treated as Echinogorgia rigida, and aquariums and encyclopaedias may still use that name. It ranges from Sagami Bay south to Australia, attached to shallow rocky reefs. From a single trunk it forks repeatedly to form an upright fan 30-50 cm tall. The tissue is blood-red and the polyps are spaced about 1 mm apart; the axis is horny, dark brown and flexible (Nipponica). Branches do not fuse and thicken toward the tips (Britannica Japan). Related species such as Menella spinifera also occur in warm southern Japanese waters. The unbranched sea whip Ellisella rubra has been sold as 'Akayagi', so check that the colony branches into a fan. Most gorgonians have no zooxanthellae and every polyp needs adequate feeding (Reeflex). This site also has an entry for the genus Menella, and specialist shops in Japan stock this species by name.
Size of the Menella Sea Fan
The Menella Sea Fan grows to 30-50 cm tall (Nipponica).
Basic Info
Origin
Shallow rocky reefs from Sagami Bay south to Australia
Lifespan
Little data available
Size
30-50 cm tall (Nipponica)
Temperature
24〜27℃
Diet
Must be fed (fine particulate and plankton-type food)
Care Guide
Care Specifications
- Specific Gravity
- 1.023–1.025
- Salinity
- 33–35 ppt
Soft coralLight: Low (PAR 30-50)
Sources: Kotobank (Nipponica, Britannica): Menella rigida / Marinepia Nihonkai aquarium guide (Menella rigida) / Reeflex (Euplexaura crassa): feeding azooxanthellate gorgonians
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Primary sources
- Species+ (CITES search)
- Ministry of the Environment: List of Designated Invasive Alien Species
- Okinawa Prefecture: Collection of reef-building corals is prohibited
- e-Gov: Natural Parks Act (Art. 22, marine park zones)
- Kotobank (Nipponica, Britannica): Menella rigida
- Marinepia Nihonkai aquarium guide (Menella rigida)
- Reeflex (Euplexaura crassa): feeding azooxanthellate gorgonians
- WoRMS
- GBIF
Taxonomy & Authority
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listed
Domestic law: Okinawa's fisheries adjustment regulations include sea fans and sea whips (suborders Calcaxonia, Holaxonia and others) in 'reef-building corals', so collecting them in Okinawan waters is prohibited (cultured specimens are exempt). Elsewhere, collection may fall under prefectural fisheries rules or fishing rights, and taking designated species in marine park zones requires a permit (Natural Parks Act, Art. 22).
Not listed in the CITES Appendices (checked on Species+). Not designated as an Invasive Alien Species under Japanese law.
Sources: Species+ (CITES search) / Ministry of the Environment: List of Designated Invasive Alien Species / Okinawa Prefecture: Collection of reef-building corals is prohibited / e-Gov: Natural Parks Act (Art. 22, marine park zones)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
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