Yellow Gorgonian: growth or hitchhiker?

[Northlandboy]

I have a yellow gorgonian in a tank that was set up in June. The gorgonian was placed in late July, and was slow to opening and honestly, I assumed it was dead for 45 days. It lost some of its flesh, but then started to harden and florish.

In the last 10 days, there is a new growth coming from one of its branches. The growth is similar in color to the stalk under the outer flesh, so I assumed it was how it grew. However now the purple growths are branching and have bubble tips. Leading me to believe it is an algae or similar, that found a convenient spot to attach to.

Any ideas?

 

[EricR]

Some kind of caulerpa if you want to start searching but I'm sure someone will have a more specific answer

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Definitely a red macroalgae - probably Botryocladia genus (A.K.A. Red Grape Caulerpa), but I'm not great with macro ID yet.

 

[Northlandboy]

Definitely a red macroalgae - probably Botryocladia genus (A.K.A. Red Grape Caulerpa), but I'm not great with macro ID yet.

Ok, thanks much. I will look into those. Regardless, sounds like it's NOT growth of the Gorgonian. Thanks again all.

 

[Cthulukelele]

That is a non-photosynthetic gorgonian species BTW. Oftentimes even experienced aquarists really only get them to listlessly survive in captivity rather than grow and sometimes not even that