Gorgonians for beginners

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Do you find that Gorgonians are difficult to keep? If you have kept them successfully, what is the trick? What species are easier to keep alive?

 

[BryanM]

I had one come with my live rock two years ago, and its still with me.

 

[Rocks reef]

I have several... sea whip, flat blade, corky's, sea plume and another one I don't remember the name. All of the photosynthetic are quite easy to keep. They light a lot of light and high flow. I broadcast a mix of powdered foods three days a week and are healthy and growing.

I think those who aren't successful do not have them in enough light and flow. They need the flow to keep algae off of them and most importantly, to capture food.

 

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I had one come with my live rock two years ago, and its still with me.

Do you know what kind it is?

 

[saltwaterfish.com Verified Sponsor]

I have several... sea whip, flat blade, corky's, sea plume and another one I don't remember the name. All of the photosynthetic are quite easy to keep. They light a lot of light and high flow. I broadcast a mix of powdered foods three days a week and are healthy and growing.

I think those who aren't successful do not have them in enough light and flow. They need the flow to keep algae off of them and most importantly, to capture food.

I was going to ask if algae seems to be the main problem for them, or the reason they ultimately don't make it, but you think adequate flow resolves that issue. Hm. Makes sense.

 

[BryanM]

Do you know what kind it is?

Its a ropey looking thing, and it is photosynthetic.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

I agree flow is absolutely key with them! I have had one for 3 years now and it grows so freaking much I have had to trim it pretty extensively a couple times now.

 

[Paul B]

These brown ones are the only ones I keep, and I have had some maybe 15 or more years. They grow like weeks and require no care.









But the pinks, reds, purple, yellow or any other color ones are not really photosynthetic and need to be fed and you can not feed one of those long time in a home aquarium unless you want to change water every few days.

There is one, I think it's called a slimer that is also hardy. It has kind of square sides instead of round.