Gorgonian Hitchhiker Help

[QuiGonJay]

I was fortunate to get a very nice gorgonian (photo below) on a live rock. It was added after cycling and while my tank isn't yet supporting any other stony type corals (except maybe a hitchhiking caribben rose) I am trying to keep this guy happy. Only other folks in the tank are a couple zoas, a hitchhiking caribbean rose coral, CUC (including a hitchhiking rock urchin) and two clownfish (all doing well).

After 3 weeks of extended feeding polyps (I would occasionally target feed him), the polyps have all withdrawn. For three days, they've been in. Tank specs are below and have been consistent per my journals. The gorgonian is on the bottom of the tank (about 1 foot from light) and in a moderate flow area.

Online info on gorgonians seems to be scarce and I can't really even tell what kind this is. Was going to post in coral thread but wasn't sure which folder (SPS, etc), so being the certified Noob, I thought I'd start here.

Any advice appreciated!

Tank Stats: 45 rimless, Pacifica LED 103watt lights, temp 79-79.5, salinity 1.024, Nitrites 0, Amm 0, Nitrates 0-.5, Calcium 380, Mag 1360 (had LFS test Calcium and Mag for me for the last 3 weeks), pH 7.9/7.8 (can't seem to raise this)

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I have that same species of gorgonian. Mine's about 7 years old or so and it will occasionally retract it's polyps completely for a few days. Not sure why but it has always perked back up with full polyp extension.

 

[thegrun]

Assuming it is photosynthetic (I believe it is) they like high flow and strong lighting. The one that grows the fastest in my tank is placed directly in front of a powerhead 5" away.

 

[Badbrad8500]

+1 on the high flow. I had a couple that perished bc I did not have them in high flow areas and they accumulated algae very readily. Also, the polyps do retract sometimes, no worries there. They should come out to feed every now and then.

 

[QuiGonJay]

Thanks guys. He's getting good light but I will look at adding a flow pump to supplement the normal tank flow. I can't see any visible algae on him, so that is hopefully good.

Hope he comes back out soon - I kinda miss him waving around.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

FWIW mine closed up this morning for about 30 minutes and the polyps are fully extended now. Mine seems to be easily irritated when disturbed.

 

[Fallling]

I also have the same gorgonian as a hitchhiker (along with about a dozen or so other species). I've read that some gorgonians will shed, although I've never seen any of mine do that, but it could be a possibility. Make sure there's no pests... that is a type of fireworm that will munch down on gorgonians, but you'd likely see parts of missing tissue if that's the case. Has your alk been stable and within an acceptable range? Finally, double check the flow is good, but if it's waving around, that should be sufficient.

These guys are pretty darn hardy... I did lose one during the cycle but the other one held on when tank was hitting 3 - 4ppm ammonia.

 

[hogfanreefer]

I have two that started as a single stalk frag. Both have about 4 branches now. They will sometimes retract their polyps for long periods of time. This is especially true if something irritates them. I had a blue legged hermit that would climb on one and ride it like a bucking bronc. That always closed them up.

 

[cloak]

Check these out.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/3/inverts

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-10/fotm/index.php

HTH.