Gorgonian Question - Dropping some pink dust?

[maleks.reef]

I got this yesterday noon, it was fully opened up by night time when the light was on. Today however it is all closed up? There is also some pink dust falling from it onto the sand (visible in the 1st and 3rd pic). Any ideas what this pink/purple dust is? You can see it "shedding" from the body in the first pic.

 

[bluemon]

It’s as you said, shedding.

Sometimes with gorgonians, algae can build up due to bad parameters and low flow, and they “shed” their skin.

not necessarily a bad thing, ive seen it happen somewhat routinely with my gorgonians In the past with no issue, but they don’t seem to do it these days

 

[maleks.reef]

It’s as you said, shedding.

Sometimes with gorgonians, algae can build up due to bad parameters and low flow, and they “shed” their skin.

not necessarily a bad thing, ive seen it happen somewhat routinely with my gorgonians In the past with no issue, but they don’t seem to do it these days

okay thank you. Another question, this new gorgonian is always closed with the exception of a small patch up until the last hour of light. At the last hour-ish it starts opening properly. During the "night" time it is usually fully open but as soon as the lights go on it goes back to being 95% closed. Any ideas?

Shall i move it to a higher flow area or might this be simply the result of being moved to a different tank 2 days ago?

 

[bluemon]

okay thank you. Another question, this new gorgonian is always closed with the exception of a small patch up until the last hour of light. At the last hour-ish it starts opening properly. During the "night" time it is usually fully open but as soon as the lights go on it goes back to being 95% closed. Any ideas?

Shall i move it to a higher flow area or might this be simply the result of being moved to a different tank 2 days ago?

I can't tell too well from your pictures since blue light is on, but what color is your gorgonian?

It looks red, and if it is, it is a non photosynthetic gorgonian, meaning it probably doesn't like stronger light.

It makes sense to open when the light is dimmer.

You would also have to feed it. A LOT

 

[A Young Reefer]

okay thank you. Another question, this new gorgonian is always closed with the exception of a small patch up until the last hour of light. At the last hour-ish it starts opening properly. During the "night" time it is usually fully open but as soon as the lights go on it goes back to being 95% closed. Any ideas?

Shall i move it to a higher flow area or might this be simply the result of being moved to a different tank 2 days ago?

Looks like a non photosynthetic gorgonian, that’s what they normally do. They rely on feedings instead of light.

 

[maleks.reef]

I can't tell too well from your pictures since blue light is on, but what color is your gorgonian?

It looks red, and if it is, it is a non photosynthetic gorgonian, meaning it probably doesn't like stronger light.

It makes sense to open when the light is dimmer.

You would also have to feed it. A LOT

The stems are red and the polyps are yellow. The shop reassured me multiple times that they are photosynthetic. It looks very similar, if not identical, to this https://tidalgardens.com/stock-yell...heavily on the,microfauna in the water column.

Please tell me it is photosynthetic..

 

[bluemon]

I can't tell too well from your pictures since blue light is on, but what color is your gorgonian?

It looks red, and if it is, it is a non photosynthetic gorgonian, meaning it probably doesn't like stronger light.

It makes sense to open when the light is dimmer.

You would also have to feed it. A LOT

The stems are red and the polyps are yellow. The shop reassured me multiple times that they are photosynthetic. It looks very similar, if not identical, to this https://tidalgardens.com/stock-yell...heavily on the,microfauna in the water column.

Please tell me it is photosynthetic..

It probably isn’t.

If you can tell the skin is red even in blue light, definitely NPS.

Do you have any pictures in white light? We can ID it better that way

 

[vetteguy53081]

I got this yesterday noon, it was fully opened up by night time when the light was on. Today however it is all closed up? There is also some pink dust falling from it onto the sand (visible in the 1st and 3rd pic). Any ideas what this pink/purple dust is? You can see it "shedding" from the body in the first pic.

Ive seen this many of times and this peeling of tissue is often due to lack of light and/or flow as these specimens dont just shed. Polyps also are not extended - a second sign. They need at least med-med/high flow and good lighting as they are photosynthetic. Mine are always full. Assure salinity at ;least 1.025

 

[maleks.reef]

Ive seen this many of times and this peeling of tissue is often due to lack of light and/or flow as these specimens dont just shed. Polyps also are not extended - a second sign. They need at least med-med/high flow and good lighting as they are photosynthetic. Mine are always full. Assure salinity at ;least 1.025

Okay i have moved it to a higher flow area and increased light by 5% however if it is NPS then it will most definitely die in this small tank and i need to rehome it asap.

 

[maleks.reef]

It probably isn’t.

If you can tell the skin is red even in blue light, definitely NPS.

Do you have any pictures in white light? We can ID it better that way

In pure blues the stems look almost black but a mix of white and blue shows the red stems and yellow polyps more clearly. Below is a pic in whites only. Is there a for sure way i can know whether it is indeed NPS or not? If it isnt then i really want to keep it but if it is NPS then im setting myself up for failure and i need to sell it soon.

 

[bluemon]

It probably isn’t.

If you can tell the skin is red even in blue light, definitely NPS.

Do you have any pictures in white light? We can ID it better that way

In pure blues the stems look almost black but a mix of white and blue shows the red stems and yellow polyps more clearly. Below is a pic in whites only. Is there a for sure way i can know whether it is indeed NPS or not? If it isnt then i really want to keep it but if it is NPS then im setting myself up for failure and i need to sell it soon.

In this lighting it looks like a PS one….

 

[maleks.reef]

In this lighting it looks like a PS one….

I really hope you are right! It is still only fully opening in the last 1-2 hours of light though.

Other than physical features, what else should i look for to determine if it is NPS or PS? Id rather find out if it is NPS before it starts withering away, it was a pricey piece.

 

[AcroNem]

Most gorgonians will prefer higher flow than you'd think, especially NPS species. Higher flow and lower light will help keep algae from building up which may be why yours is shedding.
It will also require feedings about as often as you're able to.

 

[maleks.reef]

Most gorgonians will prefer higher flow than you'd think, especially NPS species. Higher flow and lower light will help keep algae from building up which may be why yours is shedding.
It will also require feedings about as often as you're able to.

So you are confident it is NPS?