Pseudopterogorgia bipinnata Care Guide
Pseudopterogorgia bipinnata is a tall photosynthetic Caribbean sea plume with feather-like, double-pinnate branching for reef aquaria.
Overview
Pseudopterogorgia bipinnata, the bipinnate sea plume, is a colonial photosynthetic gorgonian (octocoral) from the Caribbean. It forms a feather-like fan, usually in a single plane, with regularly spaced paired branchlets. It is one of the more manageable photosynthetic gorgonians for reef aquaria.
Taxonomy
- Family: Gorgoniidae
- Scientific name: Pseudopterogorgia bipinnata
- Current accepted name (WoRMS): Antillogorgia bipinnata (reclassified 2012)
- Original authority: Verrill, 1864
- Common synonyms: Sea Plume
Habitat
The species occurs throughout the Caribbean Sea, the Bahamas and South Florida on shallow-water reefs, typically at depths of 9-20 m and occasionally to about 27 m. Colonies grow as a bipinnate fan reaching around 57 cm in height, with branchlets projecting at roughly 65 degrees. Coloration is usually violet or purple, though yellow or whitish colonies occur. Mature colonies host symbiotic zooxanthellae, while larvae initially lack them and acquire them later.
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: 380-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Nitrate: below 15 ppm; Phosphate: below 0.1 ppm
- Lighting: medium (about 75-175 PAR)
- Flow: high
- Minimum tank maturity: about 3 months
Feeding and compatibility
As a zooxanthellate species it derives most of its energy from photosynthesis and is described as photosynthetic-only in care terms, supplemented with amino acids and phytoplankton. It is passive and non-aggressive, lacks potent stinging tentacles, and is considered reef-safe, shrimp-safe and fish-safe. Reported growth is roughly 0.3-0.8 cm per month.