What kind of coral is a gorgonian?
A Gorgonian is a soft coral with small polyps. These corals actually have two types of polyps. The autozooid polyps function to consume plankton from the water. The siphonozooid polyps also have an oral cavity, but they consume water which supplies necessary oxygen to the Gorgonian.
Are gorgonian corals hard to keep?
Even though photosynthetic gorgonians are fairly easy to keep, corals can sting and damage their tissue, so it’s best to keep them at a distance to prevent touching.
Where is gorgonian coral found?
The beautiful gorgonian corals (about 500 hundred species world-wide) include sea fans, sea whips, sea plumes, sea rods and precious red coral, and are mostly found near Bermuda, Florida and the West Indies.
Do gorgonian corals sting?
Like the majority of soft corals, Gorgonian corals are seahorse safe meaning they will not sting or harm your seahorses.
How much flow does a gorgonian have?
3800 gph to 5800 gph depending on surge in a 125 gallon tank. Here’s the part that I find confusing: “they need strong flow that does not bend their polyps”. How do I get that? Especially the yellow and red finger gorgonians with their larger polyps definitely have their polyps bend by the flow.
Do gorgonians have Zooxanthellae?
Additionally, like almost all corals and jellies, gorgonians have phytoplankton (plant-like plankton), called zooxanthellae, in their stomach. This symbiotic relationship is one of the most perfect on our planet.
How much flow does a Gorgonian have?
What is a gorgonian coral?
Gorgonian Coral Come in Many Shapes and Colors. A Gorgonian is a soft coral with small polyps. These corals actually have two types of polyps. The autozooid polyps function to consume plankton from the water. The siphonozooid polyps also have an oral cavity, but they consume water which supplies necessary oxygen to the Gorgonian.
How many tentacles does a gorgonian have?
Gorgonians are divided amongst two Sub Orders, Scleraxonia, and Holaxonia. Like the soft corals, they have 8-fold symmetry but differ in that their structure is made up of a substance called gorgonin. 8-fold symmetry means the coral has eight tentacles or tentacles in multiples of eight.
What do I need to know about gorgonians?
Gorgonians require a moderate level of skill and require more attention than some of the easier types of coral available for sale. There are two types of Gorgonians: photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic. Each as different needs. Photosynthetic: These corals will require good lighting and a moderate to strong water flow.
What is the function of polyps in gorgonian coral?
A Gorgonian is a soft coral with small polyps. These corals actually have two types of polyps. The autozooid polyps function to consume plankton from the water. The siphonozooid polyps also have an oral cavity, but they consume water which supplies necessary oxygen to the Gorgonian.