Gorgonians

snagged by reef · 08/31/2007, 08:45 AM

Hey guys,

i'm looking for any info on gorgonians(red, yellow, etc). im thinking about purchasing one or two but have had mixed information about the lifespan, care, and feeding. ive read stay away and ive read they are very hardy.....hmmmm.

Any info will be appreciated, including experience

thanks guys

SDguy · 08/31/2007, 08:58 AM

The red or yellow ones with the big white polyps are not photosynthetic, and must therefore be fed. They are some of the hardiest of the non photosynthetic gorgs. Feeding any tiny meaty foods is pretty easy with their large polyp size.

Any of the photosynthetic gorgs will be easier to maintain assuming you have enough light and flow. Generally, they are purple, brown, tan, or yellowish, with off white to brown polyps. They can also be fed stuff like powder cyclopeeze, but also derive nutrition from light.

hth

lvreefer · 08/31/2007, 09:50 AM

Some gorgonians are photosynthetic and some need to capture food for their food source. The photosynthetic kinds are a lot easier to maintain. The red and yellow variety commonly seen need to be spot feed like sun corals, making them difficult to keep.

MJAnderson · 08/31/2007, 10:35 AM

I have a purple brush, purple tree and a rusty gorgonians in my tank. All are photosynthetic and grow well and have some good color. I tried a blueberry and a red and the withered away after a few months. It's hard to keep them fed.

08/31/2007, 08:45 AM	#1
snagged by reef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Allentown, PA Posts: 157	Gorgonians Hey guys, i'm looking for any info on gorgonians(red, yellow, etc). im thinking about purchasing one or two but have had mixed information about the lifespan, care, and feeding. ive read stay away and ive read they are very hardy.....hmmmm. Any info will be appreciated, including experience thanks guys

08/31/2007, 08:58 AM	#2
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	The red or yellow ones with the big white polyps are not photosynthetic, and must therefore be fed. They are some of the hardiest of the non photosynthetic gorgs. Feeding any tiny meaty foods is pretty easy with their large polyp size. Any of the photosynthetic gorgs will be easier to maintain assuming you have enough light and flow. Generally, they are purple, brown, tan, or yellowish, with off white to brown polyps. They can also be fed stuff like powder cyclopeeze, but also derive nutrition from light. hth __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

08/31/2007, 09:50 AM	#3
lvreefer Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sin City Posts: 1,163	Some gorgonians are photosynthetic and some need to capture food for their food source. The photosynthetic kinds are a lot easier to maintain. The red and yellow variety commonly seen need to be spot feed like sun corals, making them difficult to keep.

08/31/2007, 10:35 AM	#4
MJAnderson Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 2,633	I have a purple brush, purple tree and a rusty gorgonians in my tank. All are photosynthetic and grow well and have some good color. I tried a blueberry and a red and the withered away after a few months. It's hard to keep them fed.