Spiny Sea Fan

The spiny Sea Fan doesn't look like the other Sea Fans, it looks more like a sea rod. At close range you can see why it's called spiny. Short and branching in a plane, the Spiny Sea Rod grows in shallow as well as 60 foot depths. They are always a golden hay color. The first picture is not the typical Spiny Sea Fan appearance. This could be either the Spiny Sea Fan, but is a bit taller than the norm, or it could be an Open Spiny Sea Fan, which is uncommon in this region. Microscopic examination would be required. Usual height is just about a foot tall,.