Help Identifing my Gorgonian

[chadg]

I got the pictured gorgonian from the LFS. First off I can't tell exaclty what species it is. They seem to have very different care requirements depending...
When I brought it home the polyps were out every night. Then after about two weeks they stopped comming out. Then I got some frozen cyclops and it seemd to get them to come out again for a few days. Now they will not come out again.... Nitrates are about 20, is that too high for them? Righ now I also do not have my MH lights on only HO tubes. Does this guy need the MH?
Thanks for any insights......

 

[mr_x]

are you sure that's a gorgonian? that looks like a lace coral. can i see a closeup of the branches?

 

[aquaknight]

My best guess is Swiftia kofoidi, under the sea fan genus which are gorgonians. From what I found they are non-photosynthetic, so they are required to be spot feed frequently. Suggested is 3x daily.
Yea, if you can get a close up the polyps, that should be able to tell.

 

[texasmetal]

What color are the polyps? Most likely non-photosynthetic as stated. Needs LOTS of phyto/zooplankton/marine snow/etc after lights out. Might put some on a drip overnight.

 

[chadg]

I'll have to get a better camera to get any closer shots. I've tried. I've been putting in DT's live photo every other day, but if the polyps are not out then it does not do any good right? When the polyps are out they seem to be white...
Thanks for the help.

 

[texasmetal]

White polyps or very colorful polyps is a good indication that it's non-photosynthetic. Very hard to maintain long term. Just keep a routine schedule and hopefully it will adapt to the schedule. It will probably need some seriously heavy feeding though.