[canisson]

My girlfriend and I saw this at Aquatic Discoveries on Tue, and I bought it for her yesterday as an early Christmas gift.[;-xmas]
It is the new centerpiece of our tank, and is STUNNING to see it in person. It is a blue sea-fan. All the polyps are a light neon/baby blue color. I have never seen anything like it before, so I thought I'd share with you all!

 

[canisson]

Another pic for you guys! A nice newly-arranged full-tank shot!

It's a little on the blurry side, and the colors are given NO justice, but it is beautiful, trust me!

 

[rscdragon]

That pretty cool I have never seen one in person before but the pics I have seen of them a pretty sweet.

 

[Specialk]

Very nice, How hardy are those? I like the yellow sponges, did you get them there also?

Kaye

 

[wingsfan]

It looks good sitting there in the middle as a center piece.

 

[hjmtv]

looks great canisson. BTW, what is the red stick-like thing just to the left of your new centerpiece. I have a single stalk and can't figure out what it is.

 

[Newts]

I saw that there last week and almost bought it. It looked awesome. It is not a photosynthetic kind though and will require enough food through filter feeding.

 

[Jimbob]

Beautiful piece... yes, lots of filter feeding, placing phyto- and zoo-plankton in the water stream in a manner that the water currents will carry across it for feeding purposes. You will likely need to tragte feed this animal in the above noted manner just about daily. I would suggest doing an in-depth search regardin gthe feeding and care of this animal at wetwebmedia.com as Anthony Calfo has a lot of experience and information on proper care for this animal. Enjoy it!

 

[canisson]

Thanks for the info Jim. And Hjmtv, the red stalk is a red tree sponge (so I was told) and I git it at AD as well. SpecialK, the yellow sponges are actually only a sponge in the upper right corner. The middle yellow is a yellow elegans leather. (AKA the "drama queen"). From what I have found, they are NOT very hardy, they do need filter-food almost daily, and they need low-medium light. They are usually found in caves or overhangs. I need to re-think it's arrangement when I set up my 55g soon. Too much light promotes algae growth on the polyps. (stupid polyps) I be sure to post pix when that is up and running!

Hjmtv, looking forward to meeting you on Sat to pick up the moon polyps and maybe others, probably in the early evening, if that's good for you?? Let me know!

 

[Newts]

It's hard to tell by the picture, but that yellow leather looks just like the one I have witch is a Sarcophyton sp. They do well in a wide variety of light from low to high. I keep mine at the top of my rock pile in medium to high lighting. It's under 96w PC lighting, but use to be under my 250w MH lighting in my other tank. I've had this corol for about two years. They can do great in strong lighting if that is a Sarcophyton, a closer picture would help.

 

[Jimbob]

btw canisson... your new centerpiece appears to be a Acalycigorgia sp. (blue polyped gorgonian). Target feed a mixture of Cyclopeze soaked in Selcon or Zoecon as well as a zoo-plankton mixture (the kind that comes in a jar already wet). Two to three times weekly. Other than that, the biggest boon for success with gorgo's is a nice, big refugium that is approx 40%-50% the size of the main display (20-30G fuge for your 55 when going. Also, try if at all possible not to expose these animals to air when moving them around... bag beneathe the surface of the water and transport submerged if possible. This is what I came up with in my 15 minutes of research... hope it helps.

 

[canisson]

Why does the 'fuge help the gorgos? I will be setting my 29 as a 'fuge when the 55 gets up and running. Just need to figure out how to set it up and place the baffles and whatnot needed. (Never done one b4....!)
And yes, your species name was right on. I found a bunch of info on these things already as well, and I hope I didn't bite off more than I can chew with THIS one! So far, it is good and happy, all polyps are out and open, and it is still as beautiful as ever. I just think in my 55 it will be placed a little more secluded from light and flow then it is now. We shall see.

 

[Jimbob]

A fuge helps any coral, but especially the filter feeders such as gorgonians. This is because a 'fuge (provided it is a fishless one) provides a fantastic area for compepods, amphipods, and many different types of zooplankton to readily reproduce. These natural sources of food are, as with most living creatures, an almost irreplaceable source of nutrients, etc. Best of luck with it, it is a beauty!

 

[canisson]

Thanx again, Jim. I picked up a new 55 and stand yesterday, so I need to get my butt in gear on a canopy and wire up my lights and fans! I will probably be transfering everything over right around Christmastime or the week between that and New Year's Day. I think I have to get a 29 long or 1 20 long for a fuge, cause I don't think my 29 is going to fit below in the stand. I think it's too wide. We'll see later today!!

 

[Jimbob]

something to consider is setting up 2 - 15G tanks and piggy back them (you will need extra bulkheads & plumbing and such) Alternatively, you could look into some of the custom made acrylic refugiums... Dean over at Atlantis can have an acrylic sump made to your specified dimensions as well.

 

[canisson]

I like Dean, i have dealt with him on numerous occasions. I will have to do some thinking on what i am going to use for a fuge. An acryllic will probably cost a small fortune, so that may be out. Piggy-backing 2 15's...that's an idea I hadn't thought of. I may have to brainstorm a little more on that one.
one way or another, I'll have something that resembles a fuge....