Red Tree Gorgonia

The Red Tree Gorgonian is orange in colour and has loose branches forming a fan shape with large red or orange polyps. This Sea Fan will make a great showpiece or centrepiece to any reef aquarium. The Red Tree Gorgonian is peaceful, but it should be given adequate space away from neighbouring corals or anemones. Underwater epoxy is commonly used to anchor its base to a piece of live rock in the reef aquarium.

It is more challenging to maintain this species, as they require supplemental feeding several times per week. This Sea fan is not photosynthetic and requires a low level of lighting to ward off a build-up of micro algae. It also requires a stronger water flow and the addition of iodine, calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

Because the Red Tree Gorgonian is not photosynthetic, its survival is dependent on regular and frequent feedings of brine shrimp, baby brine shrimp, or foods designed for filter feeding invertebrates. Do not allow cyanobacteria to form on the branches, as it will cause both the polyps and tissue of the coral to rapidly deteriorate. The Orange Tree Gorgonian should only be maintained by the skilled reef aquarist, in a well established reef.