Unknown Coral, please help as I think it's sick

[Wiggler]

Hello everyone,

I'm very new to the marine tank, and have a type of coral ( I think) in my tank which I am not able to identify.

I've learned that the place where I bought it had given it a name of ribbon coral, but when I did some research on it, that doesn't seem to be the right name and now I'm at a loss.

Any help would be appreciated.

P.S. Would someone know why my tank is cloudy??

 

[Len]

It's a gorgonian (Gorgonia spp.). The polyps are extended, so I think it's doing its natural thing and simply shedding its exterior skin. Gorgonians do this from time to time to remove algae and bacteria that has acculumated on its skin.

This type of gorgonian is photosynthetic and oneo f the easier ones to keep. The red one in the back, however, will likely not survive more then a couple of months. A rule of thumb is stay away from bright bright red or orange corals unless you know what they are.

 

[Len]

As for the water, there are many reasons why it could be cloudy and I couldn't tell you why with any certainty. It would be a good idea to do a large (50%) water change with good salt and good water (RO/DI). Make sure the new water is properly mixed for several days and the temperature and salinity is matched to your tanks' before you do the water change.

 

[Wiggler]

Thank you for your feedback ... I do however not know where I can get RO/DI water. I've been mixing regular tap water with a dechlorinator and letting the water sit for at least a week before I add it to the tank.

I just did a large water change not that long ago when my blenny started to become really skinny, I wanted to ensure it wasn't the water so I did a large water change, it was at least 50%. But now when I think about it, I believe the cloudyness might be from the brine shrimp (frozen) that I had added to the tank to try to get my blenny to eat. I'll do anothe water change shortly.

Thank you again for your feedback

Pam

 

[Wiggler]

Len, what could I use to anchor my gorgonian to my rocks?

 

[leftovers]

Len, what could I use to anchor my gorgonian to my rocks?

Use water curing putty. Its available in most LFS and online. Also sometimes found in Lowes and HD as marine putty. Its two part you roll it and mix it then pull coral out and pat base dry wrap base in small part of putty and place corsal in area of moderate to high flow.


enjoy

 

[Len]

Yup, two part UW epoxy works (most vendors sell this). I prefer to wedge the base into the rockwork if possible, but sometimes epoxy is necessary.

 

[Wiggler]

up to this point, I've tried to wedge my gorgonian in amongst the rocks, but have been unsuccessful at keeping it there.

It seems to like where I've put it as it has finally started to grow.

 

[paats]

Thank you for your feedback ... I do however not know where I can get RO/DI water.
Walmart or any of the stores that have the water stations.Most of them are using UV also to purify.I used to buy my water before I got my home system.It doesn`t cost a whole lot but having a system at home is a lot cheaper and easier.Check on ebay.

 

[Wiggler]

When you say from Walmart, do you mean like just plain ole bottled water? Like the Crystal springs water?

 

[DougBak]

I've been using the Glacier Water machines. Occasionally, I'd run into the guy servicing the machines at the local food store. He even took the time to show the inner workings of the machines once when I was waiting for him to finish. I can't speak for the others, but theirs definitely use RO and UV to remove contaminants from the water. At 30 cents per gallon, it was easier than driving down to the LFS to get top-off water.

 

[Meloco14]

Those water vending machines usually list what type of filtration they use. Most of the modern "drinking water" is carbon filtered, r/o, then distilled, and it's only like 25 cents a gallon. That's what I use for my tank.

 

[Wiggler]

Here's a really stupid question, but does this r/o water truly help with aglae issues I'm running into?

 

[Anonymous]

I am pretty sure you have Pterogorgia guadalupensis in that pic. I have 2 colonies in my large reef and they do very well with HIGH flow and good lighting. You can just mold some 2 part epoxy around the base or strip off a small amount of the flesh near the base exposing the 'stalk' - place a dab of super glue jel on it and jam it into a hole in the live rock.

You may also see it 'shed' a filmy almost cellophane like material periodically - this is normal and I reccomend high flow to keep the sloughed tissue from sticking to the coral. I also feed mine periodically with cyclop-eeze and get a definite feeding response.

 

[Wiggler]

I found it online.

Pterogorgia guadalupensis (Grooved-Blade Sea Whip)

Visit:

http://faculty.shc.edu/cchester/Bio499/cnidaria.htm

almost at the bottom of the page

 

[Wiggler]

Thank you Techno for the help

 

[Wiggler]

Now that I know what it is, I am unable to find anything on it.

I don't know what it eats, why it sheds, what lighting it needs etc. Does anyone know?