I've had this purple gorg for two years. It's in a 26 bow that used to house my seahorses. It's under 110W PC and has grown about two inches longer in branching length and developed from three to 5 branches. All in all, it's doing well.

The problem is this...I need to rip this tank down to make room for a new 56 Gallon Column that will be a reef. In between now, and then, the contents of the 26 will be going into the basement, in a 38 Gallon tank with LR and a DSB. The lighting will only be normal output. The silly AGA tube that comes standard with the tank.

It will only be for a couple months, and the rest of the tank will be fine (fish only). I really want to know if this gorgonian is photosynthetic or not. If it will make it for two months in the dark.

Dave

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d176/JustDavidP/26a.jpg

Dave, is it fleshy with big polyps? If so I believe it is photosynthetic.

It is fleshy (even sheds when growing) and has brown polyps. Someone suggested it may be a purple sea whip. It's probably photosynthetic. I may have to ask someone to hold it for me when I am moving the tanks etc.

Dave

how can you tell the photo from the non photo?

I was told, that if they have white polyps, they are non photo. Those with colored polyps, to include cremes and browns, host zooxanthellae and therefore need some light.

Dave

thanks for the info

Sure... I just learned this myself.. through my inquiry here and at other forums. Glad to pass along my findings.

D