RockinSmall
Keepin it Spicey
there is this lovely red gorgonian with orange polyps at the lfs. i am not sure how to tell if its photosynthetic or not. I dont want to buy it if its likely to die. how can i tell?
Red gorg with orange polyps
- Thread starter RockinSmall
- Start date
scuba guy ron
New member
as a rool of thumb, usually the bright polyp Gorgonians tend to be non-photosynthetic while the ones with darker (usually brown) polyps tend to be photosynthetic.
RockinSmall
Keepin it Spicey
so less colorful= easier to care for?
Pretty much, yes.
Also, in addition to brightly colored polyps, brilliant white ones also tend to be on non-photosynthetic species.
RockinSmall
Keepin it Spicey
Can you guys tell me a little about this type of gorgonians success in a typical reef tank.
beez
Premium Member
Nonphotosynthetic gorgonians are fairly difficult to keep alive in captivity, although more people are having success. You might want to check out the non-photosynthetic coral forum...I kept 3 Swiftia Exserta (orange w/ red polyps) and some caribbean nonphoto gorgs successfully (I had to break the tank down due to a move) and below are the keys, IMO:
1. Frequent feeding (primarily zooplankton and zooplankton subs) - the foods I had the most luck with were baby brine shrimp and rotifers (Reed's rotifeast is a good product), and depending on polyp size, many gorgs may accept cyclopeeze and Reed's arcti-pods. Fauna Marin also makes dry (granulated) foods for gorgs - Ultra Sea Fan and Ultra Min F are the best bets. Go for variety - golden pearls, oyster eggs, Kent Zooplex and TLF ZoPlan will be accepted too, and you might consider Coral Frenzy, Rod's, or some of the other mixed frozen foods that are available. Watch your gorg closely and make sure its polyps are catching the food and its actually being injested - they will spit food back out sometimes. Feed at least 1-2X per day...a continous feeding system is even better (See nonphoto forum for ideas).
2. Good flow is essential - it helps polyp expansion (and in turn, feeding) and helps keep algae from growing on them.
3. They don't mind light per se, but I preferred to keep them in relative darkness (or at least, under very blue lighting) to keep algae from growing on them. Algae can smother them, and if it has to brushed off constantly, it will stress them and interfere with their ability to feed.
Good luck!!!!
1. Frequent feeding (primarily zooplankton and zooplankton subs) - the foods I had the most luck with were baby brine shrimp and rotifers (Reed's rotifeast is a good product), and depending on polyp size, many gorgs may accept cyclopeeze and Reed's arcti-pods. Fauna Marin also makes dry (granulated) foods for gorgs - Ultra Sea Fan and Ultra Min F are the best bets. Go for variety - golden pearls, oyster eggs, Kent Zooplex and TLF ZoPlan will be accepted too, and you might consider Coral Frenzy, Rod's, or some of the other mixed frozen foods that are available. Watch your gorg closely and make sure its polyps are catching the food and its actually being injested - they will spit food back out sometimes. Feed at least 1-2X per day...a continous feeding system is even better (See nonphoto forum for ideas).
2. Good flow is essential - it helps polyp expansion (and in turn, feeding) and helps keep algae from growing on them.
3. They don't mind light per se, but I preferred to keep them in relative darkness (or at least, under very blue lighting) to keep algae from growing on them. Algae can smother them, and if it has to brushed off constantly, it will stress them and interfere with their ability to feed.
Good luck!!!!
RockinSmall
Keepin it Spicey
Well, since I dont feed my tank very heavily, i will let someone else get it. My heart would break if i killed it.
scuba guy ron
New member
good choice. heres a link to a few species of sea fans with care descriptions. http://liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=597+601
RockinSmall
Keepin it Spicey
RockinSmall
Keepin it Spicey
i will try a purple ribbon at some point i think. I have a light brown gorg that has great shape and lame color, but i just love the look when its placed in the aquascaping just right.
RockinSmall
Keepin it Spicey
lovely......
and yes, i agree, they do scream reef
and yes, i agree, they do scream reef
scuba guy ron
New member
I agree... I think gorgs add a certain look that just screams "reef"
+1000. absolutely
