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Choosing new and interesting corals for reef aquarium is always the best thing a reef aquarist is looking forward to do. While all other corals that attract our attention are adapted for keeping at home, gorgonians are often ignored. In the wild they are an essential part of the milieu as they filter water, provide refuge for fish, crinoids, and several other creatures. They are a division of the food chain, which make them a food supply for different nudibranchs, snails, and fish. In most natural reefs these gorgonians form a huge expanse in various colors, shapes and types. They are beautiful indeed to watch and you know it if you have ever dived amongst them.
But gorgonians are still doubted as an aquatic pet at home. Hobbyists are often unsure of how to maintain and balance them in their aquarium. Information on keeping them at home on the internet is also very few which leave people wondering whether or not to experiment with them. Then also if you make up your mind of trying of have them, you will be stuck wondering whether to go for photosynthetic gorgonians or the non-photosynthetic ones.
Most sources will tell you that there is a wide variety of non-photosynthetic gorgonians for sale that are available in various colors and attractive range and are also easier to maintain. However, you must note that they have a very low long-term success rate in captivity. On the contrary, there are many beautiful photosynthetic gorgonians that are easy to keep only if given the right care.
Since most all of the photosynthetic gorgonians accessible to the hobby come from very shallow areas of the Caribbean seas with strong tidal currents and sufficient sunlight, hence providing them with the same environment in your own aquarium is an obligation. Good water flow is really one of the most vital factors in thriving captive care of gorgonians. Some gorgonians shed a thin membrane layer, much like leather corals, every few days to help free their tissue of algae and other irritants. Adequate flow rates will help drive off this mucus membrane ensuring healthier polyp extension.
An utmost necessity of these photosynthetic corals is light so make sure you place them at a location that receives some amount of light at all times of the day. Most gorgonians favor to be positioned upright, freestanding, and secured to a rock. Gorgonians can be dented if they are leaning up beside a glass wall or other hard surface that is obstructing flow to their tissue. Even though photosynthetic gorgonians are fairly easy to keep, corals can sting and damage their tissue, so it’s advisable to keep them at a distance to prevent contact with other such corals. As such for all corals you must place them at a certain distance from the other corals to prevent chemical warfare.
While buying gorgonians you must make sure that you are purchasing from a reputable store since many stores keep them in less light and water current that keeps them unhealthy and non-thriving. Look for colors of the specimens you are about to purchase and match them with the specimens available. If there is much difference in appearance or if they are appearing more grey and brown, they are perhaps in no good condition for buying. If a small section appears dried you can cut that part with a scissor and the rest of the coral should thrive well.
Gorgonian frags are gaining popularity in the fad and a larger range of species are obtainable, now more than ever before. Since they are previously secured to a plug, it solves the problem of epoxy fixing them to the substrate. Most species of gorgonians cover onto frag plugs quickly, which makes them easier to place in your aquarium. Cultured gorgonian fragments are likely to be smaller and have a better chance of survival even in nano aquariums. They are also reasonably priced, making it easier for hobbyists to try several dissimilar species instead of only keeping one large gorgonian.
