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Coral Guide |  |
Family: Plexauridae (Octocorals)
Habitat: From 0 to 200 ft. depth, in a variety of reef flow and light regimes
Light: Medium Water Flow: Medium Space: 50+ gal.
Reef Safe: Yes Care Level: Moderate Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Most gorgonians lack zooxanthellae and thus feed on microplankton but Eunicea
Natural History: Plexaura is a genus of gorgonians that have retractile polyps with branch formation in numerous growth planes. They are positively identified by their internal sclerites so species identification is difficult. They are best transported with their holdfast intact. They are photosynthetic from a variety of depths. The Plexaura produce a number of compounds, including prostaglandins, that are under study for human use.
Husbandry: They generally will prosper with medium to bright light and medium to strong water flow. They have no specific needs are aver tolerant of a variety of conditions. They have been reproduced by fragmentation.
AKA: Red-polyped Gorgonian, Orange Tree Gorgonian, Orange Sprite, Orange Sea Fan