Purple Ribbon Gorgonian - Pterogorgia Sp.
- Thread starter spanko
- Start date
nacl freak
Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2697008
Do you have one? If so does it shed a waxy looking coat during which the polyps are not extending?
Yes, on occasion mine does this. Good flow will help with shedding.
http:///forum/post/2697008
Do you have one? If so does it shed a waxy looking coat during which the polyps are not extending?
Yes, on occasion mine does this. Good flow will help with shedding.
A
alexmir
Guest
Only reason i can see it bothering it is if the flow causes the gorgonia to scratch its flesh against the rock, causing damage. OR if the flow plasters the gorgonia against the rock, causing polyps not to be able to get food.
aquaknight
Active Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2697008
Do you have one? If so does it shed a waxy looking coat during which the polyps are not extending?
Yep, those gorgonians shed. The amount of time varies, from a couple days to over 2 weeks. Depending on the size of the gorgonian, the other corals you have in the tank, and your WC schedule, it might be worth it to pick up an Iodine test kit, just to 'be safe.'
Originally Posted by drex
http:///forum/post/2697241
does it bother these at all if they lean up against live rock at all? or should they not be touching anything?
Originally Posted by alexmir
http:///forum/post/2697351
Only reason i can see it bothering it is if the flow causes the gorgonia to scratch its flesh against the rock, causing damage. OR if the flow plasters the gorgonia against the rock, causing polyps not to be able to get food.
Yea, the rubbing of the flesh is the biggest concern. Keep in mind of the flow requirements of these guys. They come of just off the shore, in very high flow areas. So having high flow and being pinned up against the rocks is not a good idea. Their location also means they need very bright lights, and just like other photosynethic inverts like anemones, and most corals, food from light is about 80%. Actual feeding is purely supplemental.
http:///forum/post/2697008
Do you have one? If so does it shed a waxy looking coat during which the polyps are not extending?
Yep, those gorgonians shed. The amount of time varies, from a couple days to over 2 weeks. Depending on the size of the gorgonian, the other corals you have in the tank, and your WC schedule, it might be worth it to pick up an Iodine test kit, just to 'be safe.'
Originally Posted by drex
http:///forum/post/2697241
does it bother these at all if they lean up against live rock at all? or should they not be touching anything?
Originally Posted by alexmir
http:///forum/post/2697351
Only reason i can see it bothering it is if the flow causes the gorgonia to scratch its flesh against the rock, causing damage. OR if the flow plasters the gorgonia against the rock, causing polyps not to be able to get food.
Yea, the rubbing of the flesh is the biggest concern. Keep in mind of the flow requirements of these guys. They come of just off the shore, in very high flow areas. So having high flow and being pinned up against the rocks is not a good idea. Their location also means they need very bright lights, and just like other photosynethic inverts like anemones, and most corals, food from light is about 80%. Actual feeding is purely supplemental.
scopus tang
Active Member
Hey Henry,
Yep, your gorgonian should look like this on a fairly regular basis.
Its a defense mechanism that allows the gorgonian to shed the outer layer once it becomes covered in microalgaes. Without this mechanism, the coral would be sufficated by the algae. As Aquaknight said, having the gorgonian in a good flow area is key (also helps to prevent the algae buildup), it should actually be bending over in the flow, but not rubbing up against anything
.
Yep, your gorgonian should look like this on a fairly regular basis.
Its a defense mechanism that allows the gorgonian to shed the outer layer once it becomes covered in microalgaes. Without this mechanism, the coral would be sufficated by the algae. As Aquaknight said, having the gorgonian in a good flow area is key (also helps to prevent the algae buildup), it should actually be bending over in the flow, but not rubbing up against anything
