Propagating Pterogorgia anceps (Purple Sea Whip)

Propagating Pterogorgia anceps, a photosynthetic Caribbean blade gorgonian: cutting and mounting branch tips, and the lighting and flow that support its zooxanthellate growth.

Overview

Pterogorgia anceps is a Caribbean blade-type gorgonian in the family Gorgoniidae. In molecular work on the genus, P. anceps groups with P. guadalupensis in a clade separate from P. citrina, the species being distinguished mainly by calyx and branch morphology. It is one of four common Caribbean gorgonians studied for their photosynthetic partnership with Symbiodinium.

Reproductive Mode

P. anceps is photosynthetic: it hosts symbiotic algae (Symbiodinium / zooxanthellae) that contribute nutrition through photosynthesis. As a light-fed gorgonian it is propagated in aquaria by asexual fragmentation, taking advantage of the colony's ability to regrow from cut branches.

Fragging / Asexual Propagation

Propagation uses the general gorgonian technique: a blade tip is cut with sharp shears and remounted. Damaged or excess sections can be removed with scissors without harming the rest of the colony, and healthy fragments encrust onto plugs quickly when conditions are good.

Identify a healthy blade on a colony with full tissue.
Cut a branch tip cleanly with sharp shears.
Mount the cutting into rubble or a plug with reef glue.
Place under moderate-to-high light with strong flow.

Feeding & Conditions for Propagation

Like other photosynthetic gorgonians, P. anceps wants moderate-to-high lighting for several hours daily and strong flow. Strong flow strips the thin mucus membrane these corals periodically shed, which keeps the new frag clean during healing. It does not depend on heavy target feeding.

Common Challenges

The main risks for photosynthetic gorgonians are large pH or salinity swings and weak flow that lets the mucus film persist and trap detritus or algae. Stable chemistry and brisk current give a fresh cutting the best chance of attaching and growing on.