Yellow Sea Whip Care Guide
Pterogorgia citrina, the yellow sea whip, is a hardy bright yellow flat-bladed photosynthetic gorgonian for high-flow marine aquaria.
Overview
Pterogorgia citrina is a Caribbean photosynthetic gorgonian, an octocoral with flat blade-like branches and a bright yellow colour, marketed as the yellow sea whip or sea blade. Like other gorgonians it is a colony of polyps, each with eight pinnate tentacles, and it is regarded as hardy.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pterogorgiidae
- Genus: Pterogorgia
- Scientific name: Pterogorgia citrina (Esper, 1792)
- Class: Octocorallia; Order: Malacalcyonacea
- WoRMS AphiaID: 290925 (accepted)
Habitat and biology
The species is found in the Caribbean. It is zooxanthellate, depending largely on photosynthetic symbionts while its polyps also capture plankton. As a flexible gorgonian it favours shallow areas with strong currents.
Aquarium care
Pterogorgia citrina is a passive, reef-, shrimp- and fish-safe coral suited to intermediate keepers. Photosynthetic biology means it does not require intense lighting, but it does need high flow to stay free of detritus. It is best added to an established tank of at least about three months.
Tank 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: ≤15 ppm; Phosphate: ≤0.1 ppm
- Lighting: 75-175 PAR (medium); Flow: high
- Growth rate: 0.3-0.8 cm per month (tree-like)
Feeding
In addition to photosynthesis, the colony benefits from supplemental amino acids and phytoplankton filtered from the water.