Diodogorgia nodulifera Care Guide
Diodogorgia nodulifera is a brilliant orange-red non-photosynthetic Caribbean gorgonian requiring constant feeding; an expert-level coral.
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.