ID help, backside Santa Cruz

[bperc]

I went out on the Peace Wednesday 8-3. We were supposed to go to San Miguel, but it was too rough and windy so we stopped at Santa Rosa. We did three dives at Santa Rosa and one on the backside of Santa Cruz. Overall it was a fun trip but very tiring. The current was pretty strong at Santa Rosa.
At Willow's Boiler, on the backside of Santa Cruz, I spotted something in the sand that I had not seen before. It was surrounded by sand and had a stalk. The underside was purple. Here are three pictures that my friend Larry took. Does anyone know what it is?
Thanks

 

[PhotoBret]

I have seen these al over in the sandy areas at Catalina. One of the CIMI guys pointed it out to me and said it was a Sea Lily, as far as I can remember anyway. Same family as Starfish and Sea Urchins.

 

[bperc]

Thank you PhotoBret. I was wondering if I had stumped everyone with this.

 

[drbill]

It is a sea pansy (Renilla koelllikeri). See my column 89 and column #271.

 

[PhotoBret]

HAHA I knew Dr Bill would come through. Sea Lily - Sea Pansy I was close hehe.

 

[bperc]

Thanks Dr. Bill for your help identifying the Sea Pansy.

 

[fnfalman]

Learn something new everyday. Now I know what those things are called.

 

[lcollar]

Bperc, somehow I missed your SB post and one of Dr. Bill's articles. Very entertaining articles. How is it we never saw any of those before? Articles I mean.

 

[bperc]

Yes Larry, Dr. Bill's articles are a great resource. I have been looking through them and found lots of good information.

 

[H2Ocean]

yeah, like fnfalman i finally know what they are. been seeing them alot lately around PV, pretty fragile looking. before i ask if it has a foot and can move, travel, split in two, i'll look at columb 89 and 271, if it's not a scientific endeavor getting to them. scuba board is complex website to figure out.