Saltwater Aquarium Guide -- Fast Facts

Fast Facts (page 12)

Gorgonians and Sea Fan Requirements: The sea fans and gorgonians are an excellent addition to any reef aquarium. They are available in many different colors and shapes, making them useful in adding diversity to the reef aquarium.

Because all of the gorgonians and sea fans are filter feeders, they require either constant or intermittent strong, direct water current in order to receive the necessary nutrition from the water. Place them in an area of the aquarium that features a high water flow. If a suitable position isn't available, the use of a small power head within the aquarium can meet these needs. Supplementary feeding should be offered to these corals a few times per week. Use a quality invertebrate food such as MarineSnow or Phyto Plan. Other suitable foods include Phytoplex Phytoplankton, Chromaplex Phytoplankton, Plancto, Micro-Vert, and Selcon. When feeding, introduce the food into the current just above where the gorgonian or sea fan is located. This will maximize the amount of food that the coral receives.

Many of these corals are also photosynthetic and require different intensities of light to thrive. Research the needs of the specific coral that you plan to incorporate into the system and use that information to determine the placement in the aquarium.

Feather Dusters will Regrow Heads: Typically when a feather duster dies, it will protrude out of the tube and will lay limp. Otherwise, you can physically grab the tube and feel in the base. The worm, in reaction, will tense up so you can feel if it's still alive. If the base where the worm is feels mushy, then the worm has died and you should remove it from the aquarium at that time.

Although your feather duster may appear to be dead, a feather duster losing an appendage and 'playing dead' is common. When threatened, a feather duster will, in self defense pop its head off. This will give the predator the impression that the worm has died. Normally within about 2 weeks, the feather duster will re-grow the feathery appendage and will reappear. When it does reappear, the feathery appendage will be smaller in size, but with time, will grow back to its former brilliance.

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