Gorgonian coral

[goodtimes]

I have this gorgonian coral and it has tissue coming off. I have been reaching this and I am not sure if I should cut it out or let it go. Ammonia is 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5. Unsure of calcium and alkalinity. I have what I think is plenty of flow and a 4x54 ati for light. Any ideas or help is appreciated.


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[goodtimes]

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[NanaReefer]

Do you know what species you have? What color are the polyps? It is not uncommon for gorgs to shed their outter waxy layer. Placing it in a high flow area will help with this process as will a soft brush. Keep it away from soft corals (chemical warfare) and other corals that sting.

Didn't see the pic before I posted. Cut the branch, remove the dead area and stick the living remainder in a hole. I would also move it away from that Acan.

FYI-Gorganians are NOT an easy coral to keep. Even for the experienced reefer. Don't be to hard on yourself if it doesn't survive. Good luck and keep us posted.

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[NanaReefer]

Double post lol

 

[goodtimes]

I am not sure what species it is but the polyps are tan. I believe it to be a photosynthetic type though.
Could the acan sting 4" away? Because now that I look it would be the closest section to the acan that's receding.


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[Reefing Madness]

I know it can expel its stomach to get food, just don't know if its up to 4".

 

[NanaReefer]

Is that a shroom in the background? The gorg actually looks pretty good. Lots of polyp extension Any way to increase the flow on it?


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[goodtimes]

I have a container behind it holding some stray mushrooms. The healthy parts of the gorgonian look great. But there's a couple branches that have lost tissue. I am not sure if that tissue loss will spread or regrow with the proper conditions. I am trying to increase flow but making some other coral unhappy so.
It's not in this pic but is now right on front of the Tupperware.

 

[Thle009]

Do you have algea issue in your tank? If it covered the branches, it could cause the die off.

 

[goodtimes]

I have a little problem with diatoms right now. I have been using a turkey baster several times a day to keep it clean. Although you can't see algae on the gorg its amazing what comes off with the baster.




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[goodtimes]

Thanks for your input everyone. I am still not sure though. Is it shedding or are those areas in the pic dead? I have read and read about gorgonians and can't figure this out.


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[NanaReefer]

If your really concerned about the badness spreading then just trim off the dead looking part. Won't hurt it any. Then if your unsure if it's really dead just take the cuttings and place them in a hole elsewhere.


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[wireefman]

I have numerous photosynthetic gorgs in my tank... that's tissue loss

 

[Moxxyk]

Off topic but what's that pink thing on the left of your fts? Really pretty.


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[goodtimes]

It's a bleached rbta. I just acquired it not too long ago but was told its been that way for some time. It is very bright pink.


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[Moxxyk]

Wow, it's huge! Such a cool color too.


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[Sassy Jenny]

Agreed!

 

[SeymourDuncan]

I've had gorgonians here and there.
The cool thing is their growth behavior.
When mine was fragged in half, it closed its polyps during the time it took to heal.

Since I'm experimental with my tank (not recommended for anyone who is new to reef battles that come with) I have experienced a few issues with the gorgonian.

1)tissue damage- certain animals or rock have damaged the flesh on my gorg, exposing its skeleton. Some times it would happen mid branch. Other times there would be a chunk in the main stalk.
The fastest way I have gotten it to heal was by clipping the branch right before the torn flesh.this gives the coral much less distance to heal fully.

If the main stalk has flesh torn just leave it be, unless it is near the base and you can clip it off the base to reattach to something else.

What's left over as a stump will grow back, the freshly cut gorg will reheal. Any branch you cut can also be attached to a plug and left to heal.

Gorgs are definitely fragile but hardy too, given good water quality and food

 

[goodtimes]

I cut out all the exposed areas a couple days ago. It's not as tall any more but seems to be doing fine. I tried super glueing the new cuts into holes in the rock and it was a mess. I ended up finding a area where they snugly fit in a crevice of the rock.

 

[SeymourDuncan]

If you strip the skin away from the part you are adhering you can plug the skeleton into a glue filled hole and it works very well. Like stripping wire basically.