Purple gorgonian help

[jcook]

I have a Purple gorgonian that closes up while all other corals look great. I stir up the sand bed and the gorgs polyps start to come out 20 mins later and usually stay out for a few days to a week and then will close up again. What am I doing here that it likes? feeding it I am assuming so what can I add to help the polyps stay out? I feed reef roids once a week along with various frozen and pellet fish foods

 

[MrGisonni]

What type is it? Photosynthetic purple gorgonians extend polyps when the lights are on. Share a pic

 

[jcook]

I assumed it's a photosynthetic but I got it on some rock I bought and the guy wasn't sure. Lights have been on all day and it was closed when I got home until I stirred the sand. I don't have a great picture

 

[jcook]

It has decent flow with a power head above it and the branches swaying in the flow and when it's out it seems to like it where it is. Branches are light purple and polyps are dark purple brownish

 

[MrGisonni]

Looks like a purple bottlebrush gorgonian. They are photosynthetic. Lots of flow and light. Once it gets settled the polyps will extend when your lights come on and retract at night. They grow here in Florida. They are hardy and beautiful.

 

[ptrusk]

sorry responding to wrong post

 

[ptrusk]

It is likely just getting used to you system. Keep it clean if cyano grows on it. I have had good luck feeding reef chilli and benepets. The roids may be eaten but they really pollute the water. Stirring the sand is also a good way to feed.

 

[ptrusk]

I have kept gorgos in high flow, low flow, high light, low light. They are weeds.

I believe your issue was the dinos. When they get covered with dinos/cyano the flesh dies. Need to keep them clean. I have had good results just using my fingers to gently rub the offending matter off. A soft brush would probable be safer.

I honestly don't remember cutting the dead stalk, but if you do it will branch from that spot.

They respond to a peroxide dip as well if you see necrosis. Always want to treat the rot or it spreads but i do not see that in your specimen

As far as feeding, they really don't need it but they like zooplankton like reef chille, benepets. These will add lots of nutrients however that may induce additional issues such as pest algae growth.

I love gorgos, unfortunately my file fish does too!

sorry responding to wrong post

Since you liked my post I will put it back. OP ignore the therapy portions. I meant to respond to another post. But if you do have issues, which I don't think you will, here are some therapist actions.

One more hing, make sure it is anchored firmly. They like to wave back and forth but the whole colony rocking is no good.