New Gorgonian

SAPPER · Mar 25, 2018

So i bought a new gorgonian today, I believe its a Purple Candelabra. Its not long been in and looking great. It is a really nice deep purple with light purple polyps.

DancingShark · Mar 25, 2018

That looks beautiful. I have to try these one day. Seems to me people don't really talk much about them.

SAPPER · Mar 25, 2018

I am going to get a couple more photosynthetic ones in different colours.

Sipec · Mar 25, 2018

Nice, gorgonians are underrated

reef lover · Mar 25, 2018

I love gorgs! Is that gsp on your back wall??

DeniseAndy · Mar 25, 2018

That is a beautiful gorg.

The reason not many people have them or talk about them is they are very difficult to get happy in a mixed reef. I have now raised over 16 species of gorgs over the past 7 years. I still have over 8species in my large 210g tank.

If you have one or two gorgs in your system, that is fine and everything will be fine. However, add the wrong one, let them grow too much, add too many more and you will begin to see issues with other corals. LPS will begin to not grow, similar with sps. Then over time, they will begin to recede. Most softies are okay if they are large or noxious.

Some gorgs can wipe out lps overnight (happened to me). Really depends on the species. I have done many tests on my system with lps, sps, softies, etc and over time, the gorgs kill them all. I will not go into all my testing unless really wanted. Again, I have very large specimens and lots of species. This may contribute.

These guys are very good at spitting out toxins too. Just be careful in case you are allergic. They also need food!!! Do not rely solely on light, they will not thrive long.

Some safer ones that get along nicely with others: captive grown Grube's, Eunicea.

SAPPER · Mar 25, 2018

I have a Grubes you can see it in the background that stuff grows for fun

SAPPER · Mar 25, 2018

reef lover said:
I love gorgs! Is that gsp on your back wall??

Yes its GSP on the back glass, I like it

DeniseAndy · Mar 25, 2018

I like that back wall. Love the way gps sways. My favorite is the Briareum stechei cuz of the slightly longer tentacles and brighter green (usually).

reef lover · Mar 25, 2018

Me too! Been trying to get mine growing up it but it's not nearly that nice!

norfolkgarden · Mar 25, 2018

DeniseAndy said:
That is a beautiful gorg.

The reason not many people have them or talk about them is they are very difficult to get happy in a mixed reef. I have now raised over 16 species of gorgs over the past 7 years. I still have over 8species in my large 210g tank.

If you have one or two gorgs in your system, that is fine and everything will be fine. However, add the wrong one, let them grow too much, add too many more and you will begin to see issues with other corals. LPS will begin to not grow, similar with sps. Then over time, they will begin to recede. Most softies are okay if they are large or noxious.

Some gorgs can wipe out lps overnight (happened to me). Really depends on the species. I have done many tests on my system with lps, sps, softies, etc and over time, the gorgs kill them all. I will not go into all my testing unless really wanted. Again, I have very large specimens and lots of species. This may contribute.

These guys are very good at spitting out toxins too. Just be careful in case you are allergic. They also need food!!! Do not rely solely on light, they will not thrive long.

Some safer ones that get along nicely with others: captive grown Grube's, Eunicea.

Always something new to learn!
Thank you for the toxicity info.
I knew they weren't picked on too much, but had no idea they shared that toxicity extensively in the water.
We have a small Grubes and a pretty yellow one so far. About 1.5 years now.