Purple Brush Gorgonian

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Moderate   • Temperament: Semi-aggressive   • Waterflow: Moderate to Strong
• Placement: All   • Lighting: Medium to High   • Color Form: Purple, Gray, Brown, Tan
 • Supplements: Iodine, Calcium, Strontium, Trace elements   • Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
• Origin: Caribbean   • Family: Plexauridae   • Species: Sea Fans

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The Purple Brush Gorgonian is also commonly referred to within the aquarium hobby as the Purple Bush, Lamarck's Gorgonian, Feather Gorgonian, or Rough Sea Plume. It is a branching coral that is closely related to hard corals. The Purple Brush Gorgonian has tall-branched formations of feather-like colonies and has a beautiful purple coloration.

The polyps are nocturnal and will feed at night or when the light is dimmed or off, and the branches are bumpy in appearance when the polyps are withdrawn. Underwater epoxy is commonly used to anchor this species to a base of live rock within the reef aquarium. While it is moderately difficult to maintain, the Purple Brush Gorgonian does make a very rewarding addition to the well-established reef system.

The Purple Brush Gorgonian is a moderately difficult species to care for in the aquarium environment. It is a semi-aggressive species that should be given adequate space away from neighboring corals or anemones. It requires medium to high lighting along with a medium to strong constant or intermittent water flow, both of which are very important in order to inhibit algae or cyanobacterial growth; as well as, to the overall and long-term health of the species.

In the event that it does begin to become covered with algae or cyanobacteria, remove it from the coral immediately, as this will cause rapid tissue deterioration. Algae can be removed by gently scrubbing with the use of a soft brush while soaking the coral in freshwater of the same temperature for approximately 1 minute can combat cyanobacteria. These corals will also benefit from the addition of iodine, calcium, strontium, and other trace elements to the water.

The Purple Tree Gorgonian should be fed a 2 to 3 times a week with a plankton based filter-feeding food. The Purple Tree Gorgonian should also be provided with a varied diet of live or frozen baby brine shrimp, Marine Snow, PhytoPlan and other suitable micro foods.