Isis hippuris

*Isis hippuris*
Taxonomical systematics
	Scientific name	Isis hippuris
	Common names	Sea fan,
	Genus	Isis Linnaeus, 1758
	Family	Isididae
	Suborder	Holaxonia
	Order	Alcyonacea
	Subclass	Octocorallia
	Class	Anthozoa
	Phylum	Cnidaria

Local ecology
	Distribution	Tropical Western Pacific Ocean, Great Barrier Reef.

Biological characteristics
	Description	Branches are smooth and cylindrical. Branching pattern is variable and colonies can be sparingly to richly branched. Branches are usually in a single plane, but colonies can be extremely bushy. Branches usually arise at right angles to the major branches and most then curve upwards. (Fabricius and Alderslade, 2001)
		Polyps are small, monomorphic and completely retractile. They densely arranged all around the branches. (Fabricius and Alderslade, 2001)
		The polyps and coenenchyme are similar in colour, being bright yellow to brown or green (Fabricius and Alderslade, 2001).
		Zooxanthellate
		Ahermatypic

	Isis hippuris at Chinaman's Reef, Agincourt Reefs, Great Barrier Reef. Depth 10 m.


	Isis hippuris at Tracy's Wonderland, Ribbon Reef #3, Great Barrier Reef. Depth 8 m.


	Isis hippuris with polyps retracted at Tracy's Wonderland, Ribbon Reef #3, Great Barrier Reef. Depth 8 m.


	Isis hippuris in aquarium.

Captive care
	Lighting	Light tolerant.
	Feeding	Sorokin (1991) found that 220% of their metabolic need for carbon could be met by products of photosynthesis, 1% by predation (zooplankton), 9% from bacterioplankton and 3% from dissolved organic matter. Supplemental feeding should not be necessary.

References
	Fabricius K. and Alderslade P. 2001. Soft Corals and Sea Fans: A comprehensive guide to the tropical shallow-water genera of the Central-West Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. AIMS, Townsville, Australia. 264pp.
	Sorokin Y.I. 1991. Biomass, metabolic rates and feeding of some common zoantharians and octocorals.. Aust. J. Mar. Freshwater Res. 42:729-741.