Gorgonian Problems

akopley · 11/24/2006, 12:13 AM

The polyps on both my gorgonians have not opened in the past two days...they are the only corals exhibiting unusual behavior. What gives?

Rock Anemone · 11/24/2006, 12:51 AM

What type of gorgonians? Gorgonians will shed every now and then, which is why they closeup for awhile and usually get a bit of algae etc on them. It's best to keep them in a zone with medium current to help keep them clean and it usually helps them when they are shedding.

akopley · 11/24/2006, 01:17 AM

purple ribbon and a purple brush. Maybe thats it. The ribbon is kinda new and has already shed once.

Mental1 · 11/24/2006, 05:44 AM

I would like to make a gorgonian observation that may help and piggyback a question! I have some -- don't know what kind -- it looks like single stalk trees with branches - a couple of small pieces are purple but most is a brownish yellow color (it came with my coral rock from TBS which is why I don't know what kind it is). I have noticed it loves current and stays open a lot longer when it is really waving around. Mine tends to be the last coral to react when my water parameters are off -- guess I am lucky to have hardy souls! My blue leg hermits like climbing on it -- it doesn't retract when they do. I had been knocking them off but stopped as it wasn't retracting. Do they have a symbiotic relationship?

malintner · 11/24/2006, 12:12 PM

Do they have a symbiotic relationship?:

Sort of. The crabs are removinga algae from the gorgonian in exchange for a meal. The gorgonian would eventually be overcome with the algae were it not for the crabs. There are a lot of critters that like to eat the algae off of the gorgonians, however, and the benefit to the gorgonians is the same regardless of which critter gets the meal. It is not a true symbiotic relationship.

11/24/2006, 12:13 AM	#1
akopley Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 701	Gorgonian Problems The polyps on both my gorgonians have not opened in the past two days...they are the only corals exhibiting unusual behavior. What gives?

11/24/2006, 12:51 AM	#2
Rock Anemone S.C.U.B.A. :) Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: California Posts: 7,674	What type of gorgonians? Gorgonians will shed every now and then, which is why they closeup for awhile and usually get a bit of algae etc on them. It's best to keep them in a zone with medium current to help keep them clean and it usually helps them when they are shedding. __________________ Johnny Love Current Tank Info: <><

11/24/2006, 05:44 AM	#4
Mental1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 1,593	I would like to make a gorgonian observation that may help and piggyback a question! I have some -- don't know what kind -- it looks like single stalk trees with branches - a couple of small pieces are purple but most is a brownish yellow color (it came with my coral rock from TBS which is why I don't know what kind it is). I have noticed it loves current and stays open a lot longer when it is really waving around. Mine tends to be the last coral to react when my water parameters are off -- guess I am lucky to have hardy souls! My blue leg hermits like climbing on it -- it doesn't retract when they do. I had been knocking them off but stopped as it wasn't retracting. Do they have a symbiotic relationship? __________________ Sherri Current Tank Info: 400g - 65g DT and 180g peninsula DT both drop into basement. 5 tanks plus a QT in the basement.

11/24/2006, 01:17 AM	#3
akopley Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 701	purple ribbon and a purple brush. Maybe thats it. The ribbon is kinda new and has already shed once.

11/24/2006, 12:12 PM	#5
malintner Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 78	Do they have a symbiotic relationship?: Sort of. The crabs are removinga algae from the gorgonian in exchange for a meal. The gorgonian would eventually be overcome with the algae were it not for the crabs. There are a lot of critters that like to eat the algae off of the gorgonians, however, and the benefit to the gorgonians is the same regardless of which critter gets the meal. It is not a true symbiotic relationship.