Gorgonian-is this a problem?

kkgaskin90 · Jun 16, 2015

First Gorgonian I've ever had. I noticed that the tissue is receding from the base little by little. Polyps are all extended... It otherwise seems happy, but I'm concerned. Any advice? All other corals including SPS are happy.

ssdawood · Jun 16, 2015

Are you sure that the tissues are receeding.

I have a photosynthetic gorgeous that sheds it's skin every now and then.

kkgaskin90 · Jun 16, 2015

What does shedding its skin look like?
It just looks like each day there's less and less of the red flesh at the bottom of each branch.
I was told this one is photosynthetic

Tom@HaslettMI · Jun 16, 2015

It does appear to have tissue recession. Definitely not a good thing. Make sure it has good flow. And even if photosynthetic feeding occasionally is still a good idea.

kkgaskin90 · Jun 16, 2015

I feed Ocean Snow, but is there something else it should get? It gets tons of flow. Not sure what's going on.

Tahoe61 · Jun 17, 2015

Get Rod's Food and feed it twice a week, turn off the pumps. I am guessing it's not photosynthetic, does not look like one to me.

kkgaskin90 · Jun 17, 2015

I have some rods food-how big of pieces?

Tahoe61 · Jun 17, 2015

Just mix it with display water and use a turkey baster to target feed the Gorgonian.

kkgaskin90 · Jun 17, 2015

Oh I have rods predator food. Will Rotifers work until I can get rods food?

shornik · Jun 17, 2015

Agreed it doesn't look photosynthetic and probably needs to eat. I'd say anything that would be small enough to be captured by the polyps is fine. I use LRS reef frenzy. As long as the food is circulating around an can be captured by the gorgonian you should see it eating. I haven't had recession but occasionally the polyps remain closed for days and the "skin" sheds??? and I'll have to either blast it with a turkey pastor knocking all the old stuff/detritus off, or if I'm doing a water change I sometime just take it out of the DT and shake it around in the water before returning. It seems to like this and the polyps open afterwards.
Good luck with your gorgo - I love them.

tigerdragon · Jun 17, 2015

Reef chili and coral frenzy will work too

kkgaskin90 · Jun 18, 2015

I'm confused about the apparent recession because the polyps are all still open. I fed it yesterday with the Rotifers so hopefully that helps until I can get something else

Tahoe61 · Jun 18, 2015

That is a classic presentation of a Gorgonian not receiving enough of the right nutrition. Often algae will set in on the exposed areas.

NPS require a commitment to providing fine suspended particulate matter, I am not up to that challenge.

kkgaskin90 · Jun 18, 2015

How often should I be feeding it?
Good to know it's just a nutrition issue. I specifically asked if it was photosynthetic and was told a definite yes, so that's a little frustrating. I'll give it my best shot, though.

Tahoe61 · Jun 18, 2015

Perhaps someone else more skilled in the husbandry of Gorgonians will provide a positive ID.

A lot of information can be had here.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2004/3/inverts

When I kept them I would not only target feed but stir up detritus from the rocks and sand bed every 2 or 3 days.

You may find some interesting information here as well.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seafans.htm

kkgaskin90 · Jun 18, 2015

Thank you!

Zoolife xD · Jul 21, 2017

I have a couple Gorgs in my tank right now and the one you have there appears to be a non photosynthetic species, it is going to need low light to avoid algae from growing over its tissue, high/ medium flow also helps keep algae from growing on it as well as combats particulates settling on the tissue, i would feed at least times a week, i use cobalt coral food and mine are always out and happy and have had some good growth.

Devaji · Jul 21, 2017

yeah as a gorg guy myself that looks like a red finger NPS gorg. beautiful but hard to keep.
do your best but dont kill your tank trying its a fine balance.