Feeding Gorgonians & Dendros

[mobyreef]

Can anyone who had kept gorgonians, dendronepthias, or similar difficult to keep corals for over a year please share what foods, how often, & the techniques you use to maintain these animals? I would like to try some and I want to give them a better than average chance at surviving. I am also curious as to any auto feeders others are using if at all.

Thanks for sharing!
Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this thread.
I couldn't find a no-photothinsetic coral discussion forum

 

[btkrausen]

Glad to see you on here Brian :) There have been a bunch of Louisville pop up on R2R :)

 

[Blueshorts]

I don't have any experience with non-photosynthetic corals, but I look at Azoox.org • Portal from time to time and get good ideas for future setups.

 

[mobyreef]

@ Blueshorts Thanks, I'll check out the link. looks like just what I am looking for.

@btkrausen I am impressed with R2R so far. I posted this same thread on reefcentral earlier today no replies except... someone informed that I posted it in the wrong discussion forum.
I posted here and got an imeadeate response!

 

[m and m]

I just feed him every two or three days and give him what ever im feed it mysis or funa pellets, they eat anything and i mean anything.

 

[steamer51]

Blueshorts - I also thank you and R2R for the link. I have always been very interested in planktonic life and making my tanks friendly to it's growth to be able offer as much variety as possible to corals, fish and other creatures. I plan to get more ideas from Azoox. Information on alternative foods (other than what you can buy) is scarce since most people keep light loving corals that pick up the minor amount of food they need from leftover fish food and the natural planktonic life in our tanks.

Moby - Good to see you on here as well. I have no experience with those particular creatures but agree with m and m they will probably eat anything. My LPS gobble up anything I target feed, four different frozen foods, small pellet food, dried cycopleeze and even flake food. I think anything meaty would be preferred but one of my frozen foods is for angels and also contains plant material and sponge and the LPS don't seem to mind.

 

[gparr]

Dendronephthya and true azooxanthellate gorgonians require pristine conditions, strong flow, and a constant food source. I feed a wide range of foods including the Fauna Marin products, Zo-Plan, Phytoplan, Reef Nutrition products (Phyto-Feast, Oyster Feast, Roti-Feast), frozen Cyclo Peez, and Rod's Foods coral blend. I broadcast and target feed a mixture of these foods and feed the Fauna Marin foods from a Fish Mate feeder around the clock. I'm a rookie at this and can't claim longevity in keeping these corals.

I would not suggest trying to give them a "better-than-average chance of survival," because they won't survive under those conditions. To keep them alive you must go all-in and commit to what they require. Also, your mission with any animal should be to provide conditions in which they will thrive, not survive.

As has been suggested, the truly skilled experts at keeping azooxanthellate corals can be found at Azoox.org • Portal.

Gary

 

[mobyreef]

Dendronephthya and true azooxanthellate gorgonians require pristine conditions, strong flow, and a constant food source. I feed a wide range of foods including the Fauna Marin products, Zo-Plan, Phytoplan, Reef Nutrition products (Phyto-Feast, Oyster Feast, Roti-Feast), frozen Cyclo Peez, and Rod's Foods coral blend. I broadcast and target feed a mixture of these foods and feed the Fauna Marin foods from a Fish Mate feeder around the clock. I'm a rookie at this and can't claim longevity in keeping these corals.

I would not suggest trying to give them a "better-than-average chance of survival," because they won't survive under those conditions. To keep them alive you must go all-in and commit to what they require. Also, your mission with any animal should be to provide conditions in which they will thrive, not survive.

As has been suggested, the truly skilled experts at keeping azooxanthellate corals can be found at Azoox.org • Portal.

Gary

Thanks for sharing your experience on maintaining your animals. I appreciate your candor, however, I probably chose the wrong phrase "better-than-average chance of survival". I have been keeping reefs for over 20 years and my sps and animals do thrive. While I am no "expert" I do consider my self somewhat advanced. The reason I am on this and other sites is to educate myself on the care of these before I attempt to keep them. I have already been to azoox site and will be signing up on it. This is also why I requested replies from those whom have cared for these animals for over a year. I may eventually decide to not attempt to care for azooxanthellate corals, but I want to learn.
Awesome Photography btw

Thanks to all whom have replied.

mobyreef