Gorgonians

The gorgonians are soft coral colonies that are tree like. They attach themselves to rocks at the base and have a skeleton that is similar to animal horns.

Many gorgonians are photosynthetic and so need light to survive. Others, like the finger corals, grow at great depths or shaded areas and don't require light. They usually must be fed to survive in the aquarium.

Aquarium Care:

The gorgonians all need strong currents to help rid themselves of the waxy film that is secreted to rid themselves of algae. Surge devices or turbulent water flow is best.

Care of Photosynthetic Gorgonians:

Since they are photosynthetic, they need good lighting as well. Although most are not accustomed to the very strong lights produced by metal halide, it is said that they will eventually adjust and grow faster because of it. Some can be fed while others do not. In either case they don't need to be fed in order to survive.

Care of Non-Photosynthetic Gorgonians:

For those that need to be fed, feed them at least once a week. Feed detritus, brine shrimp, Daphnia, Cyclops, or pulverized flake food, shrimp or clams. Sometimes you can stir up the gravel slightly in order to mix detritus in the water for feeding the detritus eating species.

Feather

Red Finger

Gorgonians are also known as octocorals, so named because the individual polyps have eight tentacles that they use to feed. If you look closely at the branches of a soft coral (sea rods are probably the most obvious), you may see the tiny tentacles of the individual polyps. Each of these tentacles is feathered, and the creature uses them to capture plankton floating in the current. Soft corals polyps are able to contract and expand, and this ability changes their appearance enormously. When the polyps are expanded, the colony appears soft and fuzzy. Contracted they look more like barren tree branches in winter.

These unique animal colonies bear a spectrum of colors. Many varieties enjoy a symbiotic relationship with the microalgae zooxanthellae. This algae, as with the stony corals, lives within the tissue of the coral polyp. And, as with the hard corals, the algae partners give a greenish or brown hue to the coral. Some Gorgonians sport their brightest color in their living tissues, others in their skeletal stalks. Colors range from greens and yellows to breathtaking reds and purples.

Aquaculture has produced a winning group of stunning Gorgonians

One of the nicest things about these corals is that the wild Gorgonians do not grow as well as these captive raised ones. These corals do not go through the shock that sets back so many of the collected Gorgonians.

Aquarium Supplies

at Discount Prices

We recommend the:   Stingray 2 Stage Reverse Osmosis 100 GPD

at WORLD PET SALTWATER  SECTION

The Stingray 2 Stage Reverse Osmosis 100 Gallons Per Day, Filter Systems incorporates high flow and high rejection TFC membranes, a high activity 10" granular activated carbon filter (it works as both carbon and sediment filter). This is the best choice for aquarium water. Fresh water or saltwater..

Go to saltwater section..

SPONGES

Sponges may be a useful addition to reef tanks as they are filter feeders specializing in very small particles such as bacteria and smaller. Because they feed on such small particles, from several microns to less than a micron, they may not be competing with other filter feeders that eat zooplankton or algae. In theory they could reduce bacterial levels in the water taking out things that pass through the finest mechanical filters. The basic sponge is REALLY a simple animal. It consists of a cylinder lined inside and out by cells. In between the outside layer of cells and the inside layer of cells is the area of the matrix (also called mesoglea, a name which means "middle jelly"). The cylinder wall is perforated by many tiny pores connecting the water outside of the sponge cylinder with the inside cavity. These pores give sponges their scientific name of Phylum Porifera (Porifera is derived from Greek words meaning "pore bearing").

Though plant-like in appearance, sponges are actually one of the most primitive animals in the sea. They belong to a group called porifera. Most of us are familiar with the dried colorless varieties that populate the kitchens and bathrooms of the world. But in the ocean, live sponges can be found in an infinite variety of colors and shapes. Most of them are relatively small, but some varieties can grow to over 6 feet in diameter. Sponges differ from all other marine invertebrates in that they have no true tissues or organs. Their structure is composed of simple aggregations of cells. The name porifera means pore bearer. The tissue of sponges encloses a vast network of chambers and canals that connect to the open pores on their surface. Sponges feed by drawing a current of water in through their pores, filtering out the nutrients, and then ejecting it out through an opening. Many sponges on the reef resemble some of the corals in shape and color, but upon closer inspection the difference is apparent. They are one of the many life forms unique to the ocean environment. Sea squirts are very similar to sponges in appearance. They belong to a group called chordata. They are usually found growing in clusters on rocks. Like sponges, they filter particles of food from the water by pumping it through tiny pores and then expelling it through a central opening. The Ball Sponge is a very popular sponge for the home aquarium. These sponges make tremendous backdrops and add to the life of an aquarium. The Ball Sponge is available in a crimson red color. It should not be exposed to air when introduced into the aquarium. When adding this item to the aquarium be sure to submerge the bag which carries it and release the water from the bag along with the sponge. They add a lot of color to all aquariums and are very hardy if provided excellent water quality and a strong water flow. Keep these Sponges in a low-light area to prevent algae growth on their surface. Sponges are identified as Porifera and do not produce any tissue or organs. Sponges use small holes called "pores" to suck in water and pump it through the interior of the Sponge. As the water is filtered through the Sponge oxygen and food are removed. There are many different types of Sponge ranging in shape from balls to ropes. Sponges are one of the few animals that have no known protective defense mechanism or response to any threatening organism.

Aquariums Chillers Coral & Shells Filter Systems Gravel-Coral-Puca Lighting Livestock Protein Skimmers Software Make Selection Purchase your Saltwater Fish and Supplies here! Aquariums Chillers Corals & Shells Filters Systems Gravel-Coral-Puca Lighting Livestock Protein Skimmers Software Aquariums Chillers Coral & Shells Filter Systems Gravel-Coral-Puca Lighting Livestock Protein Skimmers Software Make Selection Purchase your Saltwater Fish and Supplies here!

Order You Reef Janitors Here!