Yellow GORGONIA Not opening?

[rob28]

My yellow gorgonia hasn't opened in 3 weeks...All is good in the tank,Can't find any parameters out of wack.Its been in the tank for 2 months.
When i got it,it had some branches grown to a rock and i cut them to put it how i wanted it, it opened lots after that and healed up good.It was even growing now not so good.The branches i cut off are open every day so that tells me my conditions are good.
I notice my coral beauty at it once in awhile.But will that keep it from opening?
Its high in my tank with lots of flow,I moved it down a little with a little less flow....How long of not opening will it last?

HELP IM OUTA IDEAS???????

 

[MoTruble]

I'm not sure myself, I just got a yellow gorgonian a few weeks ago. I have been feeding mine zooplank but heard cyclopeze was good stuff so went and bought some of that. I suppose you just targed feed it, not too sure yet. What are you feeding yours?
From what I have read in other forums these tend to be hard to keep but I'm going to give it a whack and see

 

[rob28]

I feed him phytoplankton,But he can't eat if he dosen't open.I thought he was photosynthetic,but i started feeding just in case...The funny thing is the peices i cut off are doing fine right beside him...???...

 

[MoTruble]

No idea bud, wish I could help. Looked up the species at liveaquaria.com and said algae and cynobacteria can cause problems. I have no idea what cynobacteria is or what it looks like but it does seem unusual that it the other pieces are fine. Sorry bud.

 

[rob28]

There is a light algie on it but im sure its just cause he hasn't been open.The other frags have the same on them...???>>>///???

 

[walmart]

is there algae on your sand bed? And algae on him could be stressing him out and causing him not to open up.

 

[rob28]

no algae on my sand bed...How do i clean the light algae off him???...The other pcs are opening and they have the same.

 

[rssjsb]

What kind of gorgonian is it? There are several types of yellow gorgs being sold, some photosynthetic, some not. Check for polyp extension after lights out.

I could be wrong (I have two gorgs, but don't have a lot of experience with them), but I don't think phyto is useful to any of them. Cyclopeeze or other small zooplankton is a more appropriate feed.

Also, I think you can gently rub the algae off of it without harming the coral.

 

[rob28]

Ive checked him many nights well after lights out and haven't seen any polyps out.I'll have to look for some other type of food.the polyps are a tan colour when they are out...Im really thinking its photosynthetic seeing growth on the other frags and lack of food ? Im not really sure of the type,i was told it was a yellow gorgonia...

 

[rob28]

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[OceanRidge]

Ive had several gorgonia over the last three years. they can be difficult to keep. They need moderate flow of water, but not too intense. Cyclopeze always made them come out. if theyre not coming out for that, try and turn off your powerheads and filter. Albeit you did say ur parameters are on target, they are def sensitive to nitrates. Just basin this off of personal experience

 

[finsurgeon]

I've squirted the algae off with my "Sea Squirt" that I use to target feed. I've been told that if a fish nips a few times, the gorgonian "knows" when it's around, and won't open up to get nipped again - even at the cost of shrinking and dying. I moved my coral beauty over similar issues. Also, I do my target feeding filter feeders after lights out, when the fish are asleep, so that polyps can stay open with food all night.

 

[gh0st]

Try some Oyster Eggs in conjunction with the cyclopeeze, it usually works well for the Gorgs.

 

[rob28]

Update...Well thanks for everone's help...It's been over a month and a change in placement in the tank,some cleaning of algae from him and target fed a couple days with Phytoplankton and Cyclopeeze and he finnally opened a few polyps today...THings are looking up...

...THANKS AGAIN.....Reef Central saves another tank inhabitant...