The Purple Frilly Gorgonian, Pterogorgia anceps, comes from the shallow waters of the Caribbean and Western Tropical Atlantic. It grows in a tree-like fashion with feathery looking purple branches. Branches have a bumpy look and feel when the polyps are not expanded. When expanded tan color floral polyps are beautiful against the purple background. In the ocean the back and forth sway imparted by wave surge on the gorgonians like the Purple Frilly is just mesmerizing. In a reef aquarium their moving branches contrasts with the stationary sps, and LPS corals. They do wonders for any type of coral reef aquarium display. A very hardy gorgonian it will add to both the beauty and to your reef aquarium's diversity.
Difficulty
With the proper care this gorgonian will do fine, and so it is suggested for an intermediate aquarist. Be sure to provide the right environment and you will be rewarded with a beautifully colored gorgonian with open and happy polyps.
Aggressiveness The Purple Frilly gorgonian is very peaceful and pose no threat to any other corals or gorgonians. They get along with their own species, but other gorgonians can over take them, so keep each at a distance from one another.
Waterflow
They require good water movement to prevent algae growth.
Lighting
Since they are photosynthetic, which means they live off of light, they require moderate to strong lighting.
Placement
Place anywhere which provides the required water flow and lighting level.
Diet and Feeding
Omnivore - These gorgonian corals have developed several feeding strategies. They capture planktonic organisms and microscopic food particles from the water column, and can absorb dissolved organic matter. Unlike a lot of other Gorgonians, the Purple Frilly has a symbiotic relationship with a marine algae known as zooxanthellae, where they receive some of their nutrients.
In captivity, the Purple Frilly gorgonian can be fed enriched Artemia nauplii, rotifers, dust-sized pellet food, copepods, daphnia, and other similar sized foods. Marine Snow many also be a good food source. Stirring the substrate to suspend edible particulates is helpful, along with the presence of fish which can also help nourish it. Feed every other day depending on appearance
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