Diving: Spectacular Solomon Island
ONE of the most striking features of the coral reefs of the Solomon Islands is the number and variety of gorgonians.
Commonly known as fan corals because of their shape they grow on the steep vertical walls which plunge hundreds of metres to the ocean floor.
Gorgonians are closely related to corals and can be easily seen by snorkellers on shallow reefs.
Divers who returned recently from the Solomon Islands came across these beautiful brightly coloured creatures on every dive.
Their colours are commonly red, purple, and yellow.
The gorgonians orient themselves across the prevailing currents to maximise water flow to them and hence their food supply.
They grow in excess of two metres.
Certain species of gorgonians play host to the minuscule pygmy seahorse.
This tiny creature just a couple of millimetres in length is extremely well camouflaged by closely resembling its host.
The challenge for the divers was to search out this amazing animal.
Some underwater photographers were lucky enough to photograph them.