Is my gorgonian shedding or dying :(

[Zoe’s Reef]

Hi all! I brought home my first gorgonian for this tank 3 days ago. First 2 days, it was full and gorgeous and today... not so much. I need some hope that this guy will make it. Do gorgonians shed as a part of acclimation or stress from moving? Is it shedding brown algae and is the purple the true coral color underneath? It came brown so I’m not sure if the purple is how it’s supposed to look, or if it is getting bleached from the light. I read that this type of gorgonian was tolerant and hardy, and my water parameters are stable and good at 78 degrees, 8dKH, pH 8.3, sg 1.025, 0 nitrates and nitrites, 0 ammonia. I really hope this guy makes it! Any advice you can give, I very much appreciate! Thanks!

 

[PBnJOnWheat]

Hi all! I brought home my first gorgonian for this tank 3 days ago. First 2 days, it was full and gorgeous and today... not so much. I need some hope that this guy will make it. Do gorgonians shed as a part of acclimation or stress from moving? Is it shedding brown algae and is the purple the true coral color underneath? It came brown so I’m not sure if the purple is how it’s supposed to look, or if it is getting bleached from the light. I read that this type of gorgonian was tolerant and hardy, and my water parameters are stable and good at 78 degrees, 8dKH, pH 8.3, sg 1.025, 0 nitrates and nitrites, 0 ammonia. I really hope this guy makes it! Any advice you can give, I very much appreciate! Thanks!

What’s the concern you’re having? The little fuzzy looking things?

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

What’s the concern you’re having? The little fuzzy looking things?

The brown stringy stuff and that the polyps aren’t fully open.

 

[RedTheReefer]

Algae is certainly growing on it. Have you tried blowing off the algae?

Gorgonians shed to remove the algae that has grown on them.

 

[PBnJOnWheat]

The brown stringy stuff and that the polyps aren’t fully open.

Gotcha, and if I’m guessing it’s diatoms? Could be dinos if you have 0.00 nitrates/phosphates. And what he said^^^ probably shedding to rid of algae but it looks to be that some polyp extension

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

Algae is certainly growing on it. Have you tried blowing off the algae?

Gorgonians shed to remove the algae that has grown on them.

Just got it 3 days ago, and to be completely honest I’m a newbie and thought nothing of the brown color. I thought it was how the color was supposed look... but now I realize that it probably came with algae and it’s shedding it off now?

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

Gotcha, and if I’m guessing it’s diatoms? Could be dinos if you have 0.00 nitrates/phosphates. And what he said^^^ probably shedding to rid of algae but it looks to be that some polyp extension

Could be for sure. Kind of a new tank... but I read this kind of gorgs are hardy so I’m really hoping it makes it and trying to do everything possible to help it.

 

[RedTheReefer]

Just got it 3 days ago, and to be completely honest I’m a newbie and thought nothing of the brown color. I thought it was how the color was supposed look... but now I realize that it probably came with algae and it’s shedding it off now?

No. I don't think it's shedding right now. You will be able to tell. To give you an example, its kind of like snake shedding its skin but for gorgonians, its outer layer of flesh falls off in pieces.

I have a gorgonian like yours and I actually haven't seen this one shed once in 7 months (since I got it). I do have a purple ribbon gorgonian and I've seen it shed multiple times. Maybe its just hard to tell if one like yours is shedding because it is really thin.

 

[PBnJOnWheat]

Could be for sure. Kind of a new tank... but I read this kind of gorgs are hardy so I’m really hoping it makes it and trying to do everything possible to help it.

If it’s new I’d give it some time honestly it’s hard to tell sometimes until it’s too late. I’d wait a couple days and see how it responds.

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

No. I don't think it's shedding right now. You will be able to tell. To give you an example, its kind of like snake shedding its skin but for gorgonians, its outer layer of flesh falls off in pieces.

I have a gorgonian like yours and I actually haven't seen this one shed once in 7 months. I do have a purple ribbon gorgonian and I've seen it shed multiple times. Maybe its just hard to tell if one like yours is shedding because it is really thin.

That explanation makes sense, thank you! So to help it out, do you advise increasing flow? Or what can I do to help?

 

[RedTheReefer]

Could be for sure. Kind of a new tank... but I read this kind of gorgs are hardy so I’m really hoping it makes it and trying to do everything possible to help it.

I say try and blow off the algae with a turkey baster.

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

If it’s new I’d give it some time honestly it’s hard to tell sometimes until it’s too late. I’d wait a couple days and see how it responds.

Thank you for the advice!

 

[RedTheReefer]

That explanation makes sense, thank you! So to help it out, do you advise increasing flow? Or what can I do to help?

Increasing flow will help as well. Gorgonians like flow.

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

Increasing flow will help as well. Gorgonians like flow.

Thank you, will do! I appreciate it.

 

[RedTheReefer]

Thank you, will do! I appreciate it.

No problem. When I saw my first gorgonian start shedding, I thought it was dying.

The polyps also close for a decent amount of time from days to weeks while it sheds. So, this might be another indicator that your gorgonian is not shedding because I do see some polyps. Don't quote me on that though. Its just an observation I've seen with my gorgonians.

 

[Daddy-o]

Might also want to get your nitrate and phosphate above 0

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

No problem. When I saw my first gorgonian start shedding, I thought it was dying.

The polyps also close for a decent amount of time from days to weeks while it sheds. So, this might be another indicator that your gorgonian is not shedding because I do see some polyps. Don't quote me on that though. Its just an observation I've seen with my gorgonians.

That’s good to know, thank you! Yes, I’m definitely having a mini panic attack that I messed up buying this coral hopefully not. I’ll try to clean it up tomorrow and see if it perks up!

 

[Zoe’s Reef]

Might also want to get your nitrate and phosphate above 0

I’m a newbie- do you have a recommendation as to how much above 0?

 

[RedTheReefer]

I’m a newbie- do you have a recommendation as to how much above 0?

Feed more and if that's not enough, add another fish. Slow down water changes but make sure alkalinity stays stable. Others like to dose nitrates/phosphates as well.

 

[Daddy-o]

I’m a newbie- do you have a recommendation as to how much above 0?

Do you have snails/clean up crew? I dont have an exact number for you as all reefers run a bit different depending on their corals/system. But the general consensus is that 0 is bad.