Sea fan

[SDguy]

Hello, I recently purchased a sea fan from your Diver's Den section which I have seen a few times now, and was actually lucky enough to catch it this time around. Anyways, it seems to have settled in nicely, as you can see from the PE in the pic. I've had very good success with other gorgs in my tank (all photosynthetic), but this one, even though photosynthetic, makes me nervous with its small polyps. What do you recommend feeding it in addition to good light/flow?

Is the powder form of cyclopeeze small enough?

 

[dfs/la2]

SDguy,

Thank you for your recent order. We recommend feeding your new Gorgonian with a varied diet of live or frozen baby brine shrimp, Marine Snow, PhytoPlan and other suitable micro foods including your powdered Cyclop-Eeze. Thank you for including the wonderful picture as we always enjoy seeing these items in new homes.

Have a great evening!

Cassie Z.
Drs. Foster and Smith
LiveAquaria

 

[SDguy]

Thank you for the reply. Do you feed these items to your gorg, since it is cultured?

 

[dfs/la2]

Peter,

The Gorgonians in our Divers Den area are offered Phytoplankton and Cyclop-Eeze for optimum growth and color. Additions of iodine, calcium, strontium, and other trace elements are also beneficial to the coral.

Because Gorgonians are nocturnal the polyps may appear small during the day, though they will extend farther at night during feeding. You may wish to view this extension using lunar lights on your aquarium after the main lighting is turned off.

The Gorgonian pictured seems to have acclimated very well. This coral has appropriate polyp extension for the amount of lighting in your aquarium.

We wish you the continued success with your aquarium.

Joyce F.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith

 

[SDguy]

Actually, all my gorgs stay fairy closed at night. This new sea fan is no different. I would expect this from photosynthetic gorgs anyways, no?

 

[dfs/la2]

Sdguy,

Yes, you are correct. Photosynthetic Gorgonians won’t extend as far at night as the Non-Photosynthetic species. We do encourage supplementing the diet of your Gorgonian to encourage optimal health and growth.

Pat S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[t5Nitro]

Hello, since this has a thread going, there is nothing else to these sea fans that are photosynthetic or you need to feed the marine snow and such?

Awesome looking sea fan SDguy. What are the requirements to keep one?

 

[dfs/la2]

t5Nitro,

There are two different types of Gorgonians, photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic.

The non-photosynthetic ones require supplemental feeding several times per week with filter feeding food such as Marine Snow, PhytoPlan and other suitable micro foods. In addition you may provide a varied diet of live or frozen baby brine shrimp. They have low light requirements and are classified as peaceful.

The photosynthetic Gorgonians require moderate to high light and will benefit from the addition of iodine, calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water. They also should be fed a few times a week with a filter feeding food. Provide a varied diet of live or frozen baby brine shrimp, Marine Snow, PhytoPlan and other suitable micro foods. These Gorgonians are classified as semi-aggressive.


Pat S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[Bidadari]

I have the same sea fan that I got from LA about 2 months ago. It's been growing & encrusting on the plug within that period of time. I think it's pretty hardy. It definetely likes strong light & current.

 

[SDguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9764164#post9764164 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bidadari
I have the same sea fan that I got from LA about 2 months ago. It's been growing & encrusting on the plug within that period of time. I think it's pretty hardy. It definetely likes strong light & current.

Thanks for the info. Light and current are taken care of. Do you supplement with feedings?

 

[Bidadari]

Maybe once every 2-3 weeks I would spot feed it with cyclopeeze, golden pearl & phyto, but that's about it. So far so good with mine. Good luck with yours.

 

[SDguy]

Thanks!

 

[RobTheReefer]

Well, this thread is the first search result for "sea fan". I just purchased the same Purple Sea Fan today. I've been waiting patiently for them to post one in the DD for a while. I guess I'll put an order in for some frozen cyclopeeze as well. If the polyps are too small to eat it, I guess the fan will have to wait until I use the mag-float to eat.

I also have four other frags coming. I can't wait until Weds. morning...

 

[SDguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10079147#post10079147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobTheReefer
Well, this thread is the first search result for "sea fan". I just purchased the same Purple Sea Fan today. I've been waiting patiently for them to post one in the DD for a while. I guess I'll put an order in for some frozen cyclopeeze as well. If the polyps are too small to eat it, I guess the fan will have to wait until I use the mag-float to eat.

I also have four other frags coming. I can't wait until Weds. morning...

Just to update....my fan is doing great. Noticeable growth, and bright purple tissue encrusting the plug it came on.......I have only target fed it once

 

[dfs/la2]

Sdguy,

Thank you for the update on your Sea Fan. We are very excited to hear it has become an admirable addition to your aquarium. We look forward to hearing from you in the near future!


Jessica H.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith

 

[t5Nitro]

While this thread is going, since it is photosynthetic, do you really have to feed it? I would like to get one, just don't want to target feed and buy lots of different food for 1 coral.

 

[dfs/la2]

T5Nitro,

Photosynthetic corals get a lot of their nutrition from lighting. However, we still recommend performing at least some supplemental feeding to help ensure optimal health of the coral. A varied diet of live or frozen baby brine shrimp, Marine Snow, PhytoPlan, Cyclop-Eeze, and other suitable micro foods will provide proper nutrition. Additional supplementation with trace elements such as iodine, calcium, and strontium will also be needed. The Gorgonian makes a wonderful addition to an existing reef setup.

Mike S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[SDguy]

Yeah, it's one of those things...like gardening. Will your flowers grow and bloom without fertilizer...sure. Will they grow and bloom bigger and better with fertilizer. Yes. (How do you like that analogy at 5:30 in the morning!).

 

[RobTheReefer]

You guys are not going to believe this!!!

About a week ago, my seafan's polyps stopped extending. Night or day, I got no PE. Then a few days ago, all of the tissue started sloughing off. All that was left was a knobby skeleton. I was totally bummed. And I thought it was doing so well! I decided to leave it in the tank for awhile, because the "sucker plate" was still brightly colored.









Well...today I look in the tank after the lights came on. Guess what? Yep, you guessed it. POLYP EXTENSION!!!!
Unbelievable. I'm glad I didn't pitch it in the trash! Is this normal for seafans to do this???

I guess I'll spend $69.99 on a steak dinner, instead of another seafan. LOL

 

[dfs/la2]

RobTheReefer,

We are happy to hear that your Sea Fan has recovered. It is not common for Sea Fans to do this. The Sea Fan may have experienced partial die off, however since you left the skeleton in your aquarium the remaining live flesh eventually started to regenerate. If you have any further concerns regarding your order please PM us with your order number and customer information.

Luci Z
LiveAquaria
Drs Foster & Smith