| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Image |  |
| Type | Anchored |
| Attitude | Passive |
| Category | Corals |
| Species | Gorgon thalamiskos |
| Biome | Coral Gardens |
| Scan Tool | Bioscanner |
The Cage Gorgon is an anchored lifeform that lives in a symbiotic relationship with the Cherimoya Rotsac which resides within its cage-like body.
Appearance
The Cage Gorgon has a central stalk anchoring it to the substrate that splits into a lattice of interconnecting branches, forming a hollow cage.
Databank Entry
Source: Scan a Cage Gorgon
Gorgon thalamiskos. A predatory soft coral named for its resemblance to Earth's gorgonians.
1. Sponge-coral moiety
Like hard corals on this world, gorgons are sponges inhabited by cnidarian polyps — tiny jellyfish like organisms which live within the sponge and direct its growth. Unlike hard corals, they do not produce a limestone structure or host photosynthetic microbes. They are pure predators.
2. Caged friend
The cage gorgon specializes in capturing and protecting a symbiotic partner, which attracts prey for the gorgon to sting and eat. The cage gorgon larva probably adheres to a partner (such as a cherimoya rotsac) and then grows around it, eventually fastening the partner to the seafloor.
3. Duplex larva
The free-swimming reproductive stage of the cage gorgon carries cells of a host sponge, like seeds. These seeds are genetically distinct from other sponges in the ecosystem, suggesting the cage gorgon is monogamous with only a single host sponge.
Assessment: cutting open the cage gorgon allows access to the symbiotic partner and carries no risk of inflicting pain or suffering. The cage may attract a new partner before healing, or survive while empty.
Gallery
In Game
