Yellow Finger Gorgonian
(Diodogorgia nodulifera)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Lighting: Low
Waterflow: Medium to Strong
Placement: All
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: Red, Yellow
Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Anthothelidae

The Yellow Finger Gorgonian is common throughout the Caribbean and is yellow with red calyces. The polyps of this gorgonian are white and are usually only seen during the nighttime when the aquarium’s lights are off. This gorgonian is non-photosynthetic and makes a great addition to any reef aquarium, or one containing Seahorses.

The Yellow Finger Gorgonian is peaceful, but it should be given adequate space away from neighboring corals or anemones. Underwater epoxy is commonly used to anchor its base to a piece of live rock in the reef aquarium. It is more challenging to maintain this species because they are non-photosynthetic and they require supplemental feeding several times per week.

In order to inhibit algae and cyanobacteria growth, it is important that this gorgonian is provided with a medium to strong, constant or intermittent water flow. If in the event that it does begin to become covered with algae or cyanobacteria, remove it from the coral immediately, as this will cause rapid tissue deterioration. Algae can be removed gently with the use of a soft brush; combat cyanobacteria by soaking the coral in freshwater of the same temperature for approximately 1 minute. These corals will also benefit from the addition of iodine, calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

The Yellow Finger Gorgonian should be fed a few times a week with a filter feeding food. Provide a varied diet of live or frozen baby brine shrimp, Marine Snow, PhytoPlan and other suitable micro foods.

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Rusty Gorgonian
(Gorgonia sp.)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Lighting: Moderate
Waterflow: Medium to Strong
Placement: All
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: Tan, White, Yellow
Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Gorgoniidae

The Rusty Gorgonian is common among the reefs of the Caribbean and grows in a vertical, tree-like fashion. The branches are yellow to brown in appearance and have a bumpy texture when the polyps are not expanded. The polyps of this gorgonian are very small and white, and are often expanded during the daytime. This gorgonian is hardier than many of its counterparts and will add to your reef aquarium’s diversity.

The Rusty Gorgonian is peaceful, but it should be given adequate space away from neighboring corals or anemones. Underwater epoxy is commonly used to anchor its base to a piece of live rock in the reef aquarium. It is more challenging to maintain this species, as they require supplemental feeding several times per week. This gorgonian is photosynthetic and requires a moderate amount of light depending on the amount of filter feeding food that is available. It also requires a stronger water flow and the addition of iodine, calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

In order to inhibit algae and cyanobacteria growth, it is important that this gorgonian is provided with a medium to strong, constant or intermittent water flow. If in the event that it does begin to become covered with algae or cyanobacteria, remove it from the coral immediately, as this will cause rapid tissue deterioration. Algae can be removed gently with the use of a soft brush; combat cyanobacteria by soaking the coral in freshwater of the same temperature for approximately 1 minute.

The Rusty Gorgonian should be fed a few times a week with a filter feeding food. Provide a varied diet of live or frozen baby brine shrimp, Marine Snow, PhytoPlan and other suitable micro foods.

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Red Finger Gorgonian
(Diodogorgia nodulifera)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Lighting: Low
Waterflow: Strong
Placement: Bottom
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: Orange, Red
Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Origin: Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean
Family: Anthothelidae

The Red Finger Gorgonian is also referred to as Red Tree Gorgonian, or Colorful Sea Rod. An attractive branching tree-like coral, it is extremely brittle and breaks easily, making it easy to propagate in this way. It basically is available in two color variations being bright orange-yellow with red and white polyps, or deep red to purple with white polyps. This sea fan will usually grow in small and sparsely branched colonies.

The Red Finger Gorgonian is peaceful, but it should be given adequate space away from neighboring corals or anemones. Underwater epoxy is commonly used to anchor its base to a piece of live rock in the reef aquarium. It is difficult to maintain even in the well-established reef system. It is not photosynthetic and requires a low level of lighting to ward off a build-up of microalgae. It also requires a stronger water flow and the addition of iodine, calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

Since it is not photosynthetic, its survival is dependent on regular and frequent feedings of micro-plankton, live, baby brine shrimp, or foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates.

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Purple Tree Gorgonian
(Eunicea sp.)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Lighting: Moderate
Waterflow: Medium to Strong
Placement: All
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.023-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: Purple, Tan
Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Origin: Florida Keys
Family: Plexauridae

The Purple Tree Gorgonian is also known as Knobby Candelabrum, and is prevalent throughout the Caribbean. It is a thick-bodied gorgonian that takes on a fuzzy appearance when the polyps of the coral are expanded. The base of this gorgonian is purple in color and the branches grow in a vertical fashion.

The Purple Tree Gorgonian is peaceful, but it should be given adequate space away from neighboring corals or anemones. Underwater epoxy is commonly used to anchor its base to a piece of live rock in the reef aquarium. It is more challenging to maintain this species, as they require supplemental feeding several times per week. This Sea fan is photosynthetic and requires a moderate amount of light depending on the amount of filter feeding food that is available.

In order to inhibit algae and cyanobacteria growth, it is important that this gorgonian is provided with a medium to strong, constant or intermittent water flow. If in the event that it does begin to become covered with algae or cyanobacteria, remove it from the coral immediately, as this will cause rapid tissue deterioration. Algae can be removed gently with the use of a soft brush; combat cyanobacteria by soaking the coral in fresh water of the same temperature for approximately 1 minute. These corals will also benefit from the addition of iodine, calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

The Purple Tree Gorgonian should be fed a few times a week with a filter feeding food. Provide a varied diet of live or frozen baby brine shrimp, Marine Snow, PhytoPlan and other suitable micro foods.

Shop for Purple Tree Gorgonian at LiveAquaria.com

Purple Ribbon Gorgonian
(Gorgonia spp.)
QUICK STATS
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Lighting: Moderate to High
Waterflow: Strong
Placement: All
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Color Form: Black, Green, Orange, Purple, Tan, Yellow
Supplements: Calcium, Strontium, Iodine, Trace Elements
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Gorgoniidae

The Purple Ribbon Gorgonian is also referred to as Sea Whip, or Purple Sea Blade. It is a branching coral that is closely related to hard corals and predominately found in shallow waters. Its branches are flattened and blade-like, with polyps extending along the edges. Like other members of this family, it is photosynthetic. It is extremely difficult to identify its exact species unless it is examined under a microscope. Members of the Gorgonians, have rigid skeletal structures composed of a calcite and a hard protein called gorgonin.

The Purple Ribbon Gorgonian is peaceful, but it should be given adequate space away from neighboring corals or anemones. Underwater epoxy is commonly used to anchor its base to a piece of live rock in the reef aquarium. It is difficult to maintain, but makes a rewarding addition to the well-established reef system. It requires medium to high lighting combined with a much stronger water flow than other members of its family. For continued good health, it will also require the addition of iodine, calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

It relies on photosynthesis, but its diet should also include regular feedings of micro-plankton, live, baby brine shrimp, or foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates, in order to survive in the reef aquarium.

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