Red leaves on purple gorgonian

[SLODEN53]

I have a purple whip gorgonian that has two clusters of red leaves on two seperate branches. It is very pretty and looks just like leaves on a tree.

I have had this gorgonian for about 6 weeks and this started growing not to long after I put it in my tank. I don't have any algae problems in my tank and am unable to locate any information as to what this red leaf like stuff is.

Anyone know? My lawnmower blenny is beginning to take some swipes at it...which I don't want him to do...but, what are you gonna do? He does not seem to be to interested in it after getting a taste.

I will post a picture of it after I learn how to do that.

Thanks in advance for any help in identifying this stuff.

Susie

 

[piercho]

Interesting, please post pictures. Try to take the picture with a flash as your actinic light will wash out the color of the algae, otherwise.

Its unlikely, IME, that a lawnmower blenny will have much effect in controlling a red macroalgae. Its more likely, IMO, that it is rasping a film of epiphytes off of the algae fronds.

Algae encroachment may not be good for the Gorgonian, though. IMO it may be best for the Gorgonian to remove the algae and grow it separately if you choose to keep it.

 

[slowECUdiver]

i've been babysitting my neighbor's purple gorgonian until he gets his corner tank setup for seahorses. i too noticed some algae growth appearing on the gorgonian; after a little reading, it appears it is NOT good for the gorgonian. i'll have to discuss with my neighbor as to what he wants to do, but i would suggest cutting the branch(es) that are affected and discarding them. the algae growing on the coral is a sign of disease or infection and could be harmful if left unchecked. but please don't quote me on this; i'm still learning about it myself...

 

[SLODEN53]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8481873#post8481873 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by piercho
Interesting, please post pictures. Try to take the picture with a flash as your actinic light will wash out the color of the algae, otherwise.

Its unlikely, IME, that a lawnmower blenny will have much effect in controlling a red macroalgae. Its more likely, IMO, that it is rasping a film of epiphytes off of the algae fronds.

Algae encroachment may not be good for the Gorgonian, though. IMO it may be best for the Gorgonian to remove the algae and grow it separately if you choose to keep it.

I did find in one of my books, "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" by Robert M. Fenner a photograph of Red alga (Halymenia sp.) growing on an Indonesian reef which is rarely seen in aquariums, and this photo looks exactly like what is growning on my purple whip gorgonian.

After much more close scrutiny of the gorg, I noticed some areas of green alga growing on the branches that I have noticed my sailfin (lawnmower) blenny snacking upon.

I also read somewhere that the whip gorgonian has a symbiotic relationship with alga.

I also noticed that the red leaf alga is not actually being eaten, but as you say, probably getting rasped of epiphyites.

I will get some photos uploaded ASAP as I am wondering if this is the Red alga rarely seen in an aquarium.

Thanks for the tip on the photograph using a flash. I do already have a lot of photographs taken with a flash of everything currently in my tank which include a regal blue pincusion urchin, one coco tube worm, green button polyps, green ricardea mushrooms, orange carnations, 1 blood red shrimp, 1 sailfin blenny, 2 green chromos and 1 royal gramma and several fireworms along with turbo snails and red legged hermit crabs.

Susie
You learn something new everyday!