Diodogorgia nodulifera Care Guide
Diodogorgia nodulifera is a brilliant orange-red non-photosynthetic Caribbean gorgonian requiring constant feeding; an expert-level coral.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Diodogorgia nodulifera, the devil's sea whip, is a brilliant orange-red and yellow knobby gorgonian with contrasting white polyps. It is a non-photosynthetic (NPS) octocoral that lacks symbiotic algae and must be fed regularly; it is rated an expert-level coral.
Taxonomy
- Family (KB record): Anthothelidae
- Family (current WoRMS): Spongiodermidae
- Scientific name: Diodogorgia nodulifera
- Authority: (Hargitt in Hargitt & Rogers, 1901)
- Common synonyms: Orange Tree Gorgonian, Colorful Sea Rod
Habitat
The species is common throughout the Caribbean and is hardy and adaptable across a range of deeper-water habitats. It typically appears from around 12-15 m (40-50 ft) down to depths of roughly 180 m, often in shaded areas such as under ledge overhangs, on walls and in caves. Because it lacks zooxanthellae, it has no specific lighting requirement.
Aquarium requirements
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- Salinity: 1.024-1.026 SG
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Alkalinity (dKH): 8-11
- Calcium: 400-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Nitrate: below 20 ppm; Phosphate: below 0.15 ppm
- Lighting: low (about 0-50 PAR; no light dependence)
- Flow: high
- Minimum tank maturity: about 1 year
Feeding and compatibility
This NPS gorgonian requires frequent feeding of small planktonic foods, such as frozen cyclops and rotifers, and its relatively large polyps may take newly hatched brine shrimp nauplii. It should not be kept without the time to keep it well fed. It is passive, lacks potent stinging tentacles, and is considered reef-safe, shrimp-safe and fish-safe. Reported growth is roughly 0.1-0.4 cm per month.
Propagating Diodogorgia nodulifera (Devil's Sea Whip)
Overview
Diodogorgia nodulifera is the commonly available yellow-and-red knobby gorgonian, widespread throughout the Caribbean. In nature it lives almost exclusively in deeper water, appearing from about 40-50 feet and ranging down to roughly 600 feet, often in shaded sites such as ledge overhangs, walls and caves on shallower patch reefs, and out in the open on deeper reefs.
Reproductive Mode
As an azooxanthellate gorgonian it lacks symbiotic algae and gains no energy from light, depending entirely on captured food. This nutritional dependence shapes how it must be propagated: any frag has to be sustained by feeding from the outset.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Like other gorgonians, it is propagated by cutting a branch and remounting it. A healthy section is cut with sharp shears and secured to rubble or a plug, after which the cut coral must be kept feeding to recover and grow rather than left to rely on light.
- Select a healthy branch with no tissue loss.
- Cut a section cleanly with sharp shears.
- Mount the cutting onto rubble or a plug.
- Resume frequent target feeding immediately.
Feeding & Conditions for Propagation
It has been observed feeding on frozen cyclops and frozen rotifers, and gorgonians with polyps as large as this species' are also likely to take newly hatched brine shrimp nauplii. Because non-photosynthetic systems demand a great deal of time and upkeep, sustained feeding is the decisive condition for a frag to thrive.
Common Challenges
The main difficulty is keeping the coral fed enough to stay plump and healthy; non-photosynthetic gorgonians decline quickly when underfed, and the heavy feeding regimen needs to be balanced against nutrient build-up. These corals are best reserved for keepers committed to a dedicated NPS setup.