Yellow Finger Gorgonian!

[alexisawerewolf]

I want to share a little story about my gorgonian. It was a somewhat random pick on my first ever corals purchase for my new saltwater tank. I ordered several macro algae, a cabbage leather, and this gorgonian. It's been through a lot as my short time and knowledge has progressed, which is still only 4mos today.

The most rough it's seen is getting caked up with algae and no polyps for a week at a time. And another time when i tried to use Phosphate-E to remove phosphates. It ended up hurting my snails and the gorgonian because i used it too many times and i ended up not using it again.

Just this last weekend though i made a 30% water change and i saw a few polyps open up. So i again took him out and scrubbed its surface with a piece of filter floss. The next couple days it was opening more polyps and i have him spot feeding of phytoplankton and Continuum.

Now he's all opened up and bushy tailed. Getting spot fed art least twice in 30min intervals. I'm so happy i haven't lost this one as there are quite a number who didn't make it through the early tank and learning phases.

Here's a look at the guy under good light for photos. It's not a big stick but i still love him!

 

[cdemoss01]

Beautiful!

 

[Rocks reef]

A couple things to note about the yellow finger.

1. It is a NPS so feeding is required or else it shall perish.
2. The algae growth on it is a result of it not receiving enough flow and too much light. Place it in a high flow area that is shaded or receives very little light.
3. It is MUCH safer to use a soft bristled toothbrush (clean one of course) to clean off any algae. Fiber floss is quite abrasive and can get snagged on the flesh.

 

[Kasrift]

A couple things to note about the yellow finger.

1. It is a NPS so feeding is required or else it shall perish.
2. The algae growth on it is a result of it not receiving enough flow and too much light. Place it in a high flow area that is shaded or receives very little light.
3. It is MUCH safer to use a soft bristled toothbrush (clean one of course) to clean off any algae. Fiber floss is quite abrasive and can get snagged on the flesh.

Spot on for all of this.

As a non photosynthetic coral, light isn't needed and for whatever reason causes excess algae growth on the skin. They also appreciate high flow.

I've dabbled with the NPS gorgonians as well.

 

[alexisawerewolf]

A couple things to note about the yellow finger.

1. It is a NPS so feeding is required or else it shall perish.
2. The algae growth on it is a result of it not receiving enough flow and too much light. Place it in a high flow area that is shaded or receives very little light.
3. It is MUCH safer to use a soft bristled toothbrush (clean one of course) to clean off any algae. Fiber floss is quite abrasive and can get snagged on the flesh.

Spot on for all of this.

As a non photosynthetic coral, light isn't needed and for whatever reason causes excess algae growth on the skin. They also appreciate high flow.

I've dabbled with the NPS gorgonians as well.

I think these animals are well worth the effort. I enjoy spot feeding them. I have a small tank so between this spot feeding and feeding my fish i stopped feeding the other corals separately. I also placed the gorgonian furthest from the light and in high flow area.

Thanks both for the feedback.

 

[bluemon]

I think these animals are well worth the effort. I enjoy spot feeding them. I have a small tank so between this spot feeding and feeding my fish i stopped feeding the other corals separately. I also placed the gorgonian furthest from the light and in high flow area.

Thanks both for the feedback.

What do you spot feed them?

You would need really fine particulate food, and phytoplankton, and none are too optimal for spot feeding.

These do well in dedicated tanks with wide dosage of phyto all day long with a great nutrient export system

 

[alexisawerewolf]

I think these animals are well worth the effort. I enjoy spot feeding them. I have a small tank so between this spot feeding and feeding my fish i stopped feeding the other corals separately. I also placed the gorgonian furthest from the light and in high flow area.

Thanks both for the feedback.

What do you spot feed them?

You would need really fine particulate food, and phytoplankton, and none are too optimal for spot feeding.

These do well in dedicated tanks with wide dosage of phyto all day long with a great nutrient export system

Continuum micro blast and nutramar live phyto nanno over several spaced feedings