SEPT 08: EA Photo - Rare And Unusual - Page 2

Delphinus · #1 09-15-2008, 05:42 AM

Gorgonia ventilana, Venus sea fan
Rare? Not sure, but I think so. I had to pester all the usual vendors for many years before one serendipitously showed up an a dealers tank (almost by accident). It's a Caribbean species where collection is heavily regulated. However it is proving to be fairly easy to grow - is photosynthetic and enjoys the same bright light high flow conditions that SPS enjoy.
Tech talk: Nikon D70s, Nikor 60mm Micro, 1/320s, f3.3

Lance · #2 09-15-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Gorgonia ventilana, Venus sea fan
Rare? Not sure, but I think so. I had to pester all the usual vendors for many years before one serendipitously showed up an a dealers tank (almost by accident). It's a Caribbean species where collection is heavily regulated. However it is proving to be fairly easy to grow - is photosynthetic and enjoys the same bright light high flow conditions that SPS enjoy.
Tech talk: Nikon D70s, Nikor 60mm Micro, 1/320s, f3.3

Wow Tony, I really like that. How big is it and how big does it get?

Delphinus · #3 09-15-2008, 04:43 PM

Thanks - it's about 6" diameter right now. I imagine it doesn't really have a max size. It was more like 4" when I first got it, which was back in January... which means it's about the fastest growing gorgonian that I have - I have other seawhip frags that have barely put on 1/4" in 3 years.

I also notice that the new growth hasn't interconnected much yet, they are branching off in all directions. I imagine though that like with many other corals, probably the biggest influence on growth patterns is flow patterns, and I probably don't have near enough in this tank. But, it grows nicely anyhow, so I am happy anyhow.