Gorgonian/Sea Fan

This coral is completely non-photosynthetic and receives its energy by capturing copepod nauplii, rotifers, fine zooplankton and coral snow. A refugium is helpful in supplementing the main aquarium with live prey items. Intense lighting is not needed and may actually be detrimental.

Moderate water flow is essential and is ideally provided using diffused laminar flow, with the coral’s polyps facing away from the flow. This will deliver food to the polyps and also will clear nuisance algae, cyanobacteria and debris from its branches. A very soft brush may also be used to help keep it clean. In extreme cases it may be soaked in fresh water of the same temperature and pH for up to one minute. They should also be inspected for predatory pests such as Primovula sp. snails. The coral may occasionally shed a waxy sheet, which is a natural cleansing behavior.

Gorgonians will secure themselves to the substrate via a holdfast. It may be necessary to secure the coral initially with epoxy or ties until it has grown. Gorgonians may also grow quite tall, so they should be placed low enough to allow for future growth. Most non-photosynthetic species are supported by an armature of fused calcareous sclerites which may be brittle. Care should be taken when handling; however, if a branch is broken it may regrow into a new coral.

Gorgonians are very sensitive to ammonia and may retract their polyps if they detect poor water quality. They create anti-microbial chemicals which helps them to resist disease. However, if it is seen that the tip of a branch is being lost then that branch should be fed heavily for about a week and then the tip should be clipped off slightly into the healthy tissue and the coral may heal itself.

• Difficulty: Advanced
• Growth Speed: Medium
• Lighting: Not Applicable
• Average Placement: Low - Middle
• Water Flow: High
• Temperament: Semi-Aggressive