Purple Gorgonian
The purple gorgonian is native to the shallow waters of the Caribbean, and is also known as the Rough Sea Plume, Purple Bush, Purple Feather Gorgonian, Lamarcks Gorgonian, Purple Sea Blade, Purple Ribbon Gorgonian or Purple Brush.
Purple Gorgoniana Soft Coral
Although classified as soft coral, the purple gorgonian shares similar properties with the hard corals and they will frequently be seen for sale as dried ornamental fans in tourist shops and other beach stores.
Purple Gorgonian Growth Rate
The body of the purple gorgonian can be found in an array of purple to purple/gray shades. The shape of the coral stretches up vertically with flattened, thick branches or sturdy, thick branches that form tall, feathered colonies. The brown polyps of purple gorgonian corals extend along the edges of its branches and are nocturnal, which means they will retract during the night. When this occurs, the corals branches take on a rough and uneven appearance. A rigid structure made of calcite and gorgonin (a specialized hard protein) make up the skeleton of the purple gorgonian. Most purple gorgonians grow approximately two inches per year.
Purple Gorgonian Low Defense
The purple gorgonian is a peaceful creature and most do not sting animals it comes into contact with. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of other creatures, as many hard corals/anemones will not hesitate to sting them. The purple gorgonian should also be kept away from any stinging corals when in a tank (i.e. hammer or elegance coral)- these stings are potentially fatal to the purple gorgonian. In addition, soft corals produce toxic chemicals as part of their chemical warfare defense system, which can poison purple gorgonians. It is always safest to keep the purple gorgonian away from other corals in an artificial environment, to protect it from being injured.
Purple Gorgonian Nutrient Content
The purple gorgonian is one of the many gorgonian species that uses photosynthesis for the majority of its nutritional content, but if kept in an artificial environment, small organisms (micro plankton, marine snow, bioplankton, live baby brine shrimp, etc.) should be included into the aquarium a few times a week so that the coral can filter feed as it would do in its natural environment.
Purple Gorgonian Care
Caring for a purple gorgonian in a reef tank is moderately difficult, requiring medium to high access to light and moderate water movement. Part of the purple gorgonians natural patterns is to develop an outer waxy layer several times a month that will shed without assistance if given the right conditions. If the purple gorgonian is not provided with a strong water flow, this layer of waste-filled film would not be removed, and algae and other cyanobacteria will begin to grow, which will cause rapid tissue deterioration. If such growth occurs, there is a way to salvage the purple gorgonian coral, but it must be done immediately. Using a soft brush (i.e. toothbrush), gently remove the exterior algae, and then soak the coral in fresh water for one minute to clean off the cyanobacteria. Purple gorgonians are favorites among aqua culturists and reef enthusiasts because of its brilliant color and pleasing movement within a tank (the purple gorgonian colonies are thin enough that they move with the currents.
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