Photosynthetic and Non-Photosynthetic Gorgonian ID

[Plankt0s]

Are there any ways to definitevely tell which is which visually or without a microscope?

 

[Stottlemire]

Are you asking how to tell nps gorgonians from photosynthetic ones ?

Chuck

 

[Plankt0s]

yes.

 

[dendro982]

Not definitely (sorry, this is not really an answer for your question), but the photosynthetic gorgonians, I had seen, had tan-colored polyps, while all non-photosynthetic gorgonians, I have or had seen, have a brightly colored polyps: white, bright orange, yellow, blue, violet.

Another thing - the photosynthetic gorgonians are usually named properly, and not too much variety of both ever comes anyway.
I can visually distinguish by color, shape, polyps placement - my information comes from this website: http://www.meerwasser-lexikon.de/eng/67/0/0/liste_Sea Fans.htm

Did my best

 

[Plankt0s]

I was told that this gorg was definatly photosynthetic... It is doing extremely well I am feeding it live phyto and coral frenzy.

 

[dendro982]

I don't have this, but the photo was posted in Non-photosynthetic gorgonians - ID and particular care as Menella, and had good evaluation as one of the best NPS gorgonians to keep in tank.
Some of them tend to be covered by algae, micro or macro, or just decline.

 

[Kreeger1]

biowerks,

the store you bought that from was wrong. Thats non photo and is a menella species like dendro982 states. pretty cool one too
Erik

 

[Plankt0s]

Yea I love it. Now im going to have to start feeding it.

 

[AIMFish]

Re: Photosynthetic and Non-Photosynthetic Gorgonian ID

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11992280#post11992280 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by biowerks
Are there any ways to definitevely tell which is which visually or without a microscope?

Good question. Are there any more sites that can be used as a referance other than the one listed?