Prof. Dr. Charles G. Messing, (†), USA
Info
Pseudoplexaura wagenaari is a small, branching, bushy horn coral from the Caribbean that rarely grows taller than 30 cm.
In keeping with its small size, its few branches are long, thin and pointed, with tips 3 - 4 mm in diameter.
Like some other gorgonian species, Pseudoplexaura wagenaari forms a slime that protects it, but does not prevent flamingo tongue snails (Cyphoma spp.) from nibbling the horn coral.
The colouration of this gorgonian ranges from beige to purple with maroon to dark brown polyps.
Recommendation - the coral should be kept in a species-specific tank.
Feeding
Gorgonians do not have zooxanthellae and do not live off light. Azooxanthellate gorgonians do not host symbiotic algae that produce nutrients and energy through photosynthesis.
The pumps should be switched off before feeding. In order for the gorgonian to survive in the aquarium, each individual polyp must be fed sufficiently, i.e. daily or 3-4 times a week. Without feeding, the gorgonian will not survive in the aquarium. The polyps need a certain amount of time to absorb the food (granules or dust food (Ultramarin, Cyclop Eeze) or frozen food (lobster eggs, mysis)). If shrimp and fish are present, they will try to steal the food, so it is essential to feed these cohabitants beforehand.
Newly introduced gorgonian sticks can be stimulated with a liquid food, e.g., PolypLab Polyp, to encourage the individual polyps to open. Only then can feeding be carried out.
The better the individual polyps take up the food provided, the better the growth and reproduction rates will be.
Azooxanthellate corals eat suspensions, marine snow, microplankton, and other organic matter, which is their natural food.
Similar species with which Pseudoplexaura wagenaari can be confused:
Pseudoplexaura flagellosa, Pseudoplexaura flagellosa, Pseudoplexaura porosa, Pseudoplexaura crucis, Plexaurella grisea and Eunicea knighti.
Synonym: Plexaura wagenaari Stiasny, 1941
In keeping with its small size, its few branches are long, thin and pointed, with tips 3 - 4 mm in diameter.
Like some other gorgonian species, Pseudoplexaura wagenaari forms a slime that protects it, but does not prevent flamingo tongue snails (Cyphoma spp.) from nibbling the horn coral.
The colouration of this gorgonian ranges from beige to purple with maroon to dark brown polyps.
Recommendation - the coral should be kept in a species-specific tank.
Feeding
Gorgonians do not have zooxanthellae and do not live off light. Azooxanthellate gorgonians do not host symbiotic algae that produce nutrients and energy through photosynthesis.
The pumps should be switched off before feeding. In order for the gorgonian to survive in the aquarium, each individual polyp must be fed sufficiently, i.e. daily or 3-4 times a week. Without feeding, the gorgonian will not survive in the aquarium. The polyps need a certain amount of time to absorb the food (granules or dust food (Ultramarin, Cyclop Eeze) or frozen food (lobster eggs, mysis)). If shrimp and fish are present, they will try to steal the food, so it is essential to feed these cohabitants beforehand.
Newly introduced gorgonian sticks can be stimulated with a liquid food, e.g., PolypLab Polyp, to encourage the individual polyps to open. Only then can feeding be carried out.
The better the individual polyps take up the food provided, the better the growth and reproduction rates will be.
Azooxanthellate corals eat suspensions, marine snow, microplankton, and other organic matter, which is their natural food.
Similar species with which Pseudoplexaura wagenaari can be confused:
Pseudoplexaura flagellosa, Pseudoplexaura flagellosa, Pseudoplexaura porosa, Pseudoplexaura crucis, Plexaurella grisea and Eunicea knighti.
Synonym: Plexaura wagenaari Stiasny, 1941
