How do you take care of a gorgonian?

Photosynthetic gorgonians love light, so be sure to place them in an area of your tank where they will be under moderate to high lighting for several hours a day. Most gorgonians prefer to be placed upright, freestanding, and secured to a rock.

Are gorgonian photosynthetic?

Since it is a photosynthetic gorgonian and gains much of its energy from light it does not require such heavy feeding as other non-photosynthetic gorgonians. Lighting & Flow Requirements: The Purple Lace Photosynthetic Gorgonian requires high water flow and moderate lighting (PAR 150-250).

What is a Purple Sea Whip?

The Purple Ribbon Gorgonian is also referred to as Sea Whip, or Purple Sea Blade. It is a branching coral that is closely related to hard corals and predominately found in shallow waters. Its branches are flattened and blade-like, with polyps extending along the edges.

Are gorgonian corals hard to keep?

Gorgonian coral are both the easiest, and possibly hardest coral to keep in the home aquarium. Some species of gorgonian coral are photosynthetic, like most other coral such as acropora, montipora, acans, zoanthids, etc.

Are Gorgonians aggressive?

It is thought but never proven Gorgonia may be more aggressive chemically than some other corals.

Why are sea fans put in aquariums?

The algae will carry out photosynthesis and the sea fans will get the energy as well as oxygen. Photosynthetic gorgonians love light, so be sure to place them in an area of your tank where they will be under moderate to high lighting for several hours a day.

What do sea fans eat?

plankton
Most Sea Fans are nocturnal, only extending their polyps during the nighttime hours. They consume plankton and require strong currents to carry their food.

Do Gorgonians grow fast?

and it grows very fast. This species has been at GARF for several years and it is the only Gorgonian that we have trim because it is shading other corals. We often mount several species of Gorgonians on one Reef PlugTM and each coral can be seperated from the others after they start to grow.

Are sea whips photosynthetic?

Their shapes vary, but some of the more well known include sea fan corals, whips, finger coral, bushy, sea rod and more. Photosynthetic: These corals will require good lighting and a moderate to strong water flow. Some of these photosynthetic ones can be fed but they will be fine without additional food.

Are Gorgonians hard to keep?

Despite their reputation as delicate animals that are difficult to keep in captivity, most photosynthetic gorgonians are extremely hardy, and some even make excellent starter corals for those just getting into the hobby.

Are Gorgonians hard corals?

GORGONIANS ARE CORAL POLYPS WITH A DIFFERENT STRATEGY Gorgonians are often built on internal rods of a hard protein material called gorgonin, reinforced by spicules. They include long, thin sea whips, bushy sea plumes, sea rods and flat sea fans, all supporting colonies of polyps that filter feed in the current.

What’s the name of the purple blade gorgonian?

Pterogorgia gorgonians, referred to as purple blade gorgonians, are unique looking with fuzzy brown polyps and deep purple, angular branches. This species occurs in very shallow tidal lagoons in the wild so it is best kept under strong lighting and fairly high flow. Pterogorgia, Purple Blade gorgonian.

What kind of water does purple sea blade need?

Similarly, the Purple Sea Blade needs moderate water flow, but the current must be in a sideways and linear direction in order for the colony to grow adequately. Therefore, is best to know the traits of your particular Gorgonian coral species, and the ideal water flow parameters for it.

What do gorgonian corals look like in water?

In addition to this, Gorgonian corals can be fan-shaped, finger-shaped, blade or whip shaped, or look like polyp-covered rods. This all can lead to some confusion, but generally Gorgonian corals consist of thin-branched, tree-like colonies comprised of hundreds or thousands of polyps — ones that secrete gorgonin to build their skeletons.

What kind of habitat does a gorgonian live in?

Pterogorgia gorgonian close up. Pterogorgia gorgonians, referred to as purple blade gorgonians, are unique looking with fuzzy brown polyps and deep purple, angular branches. This species occurs in very shallow tidal lagoons in the wild so it is best kept under strong lighting and fairly high flow. Pterogorgia, Purple Blade gorgonian.