Purple Gorgonian Shedding??!

[JohnH2]

I thought my Purple Gorgonian had died. It had turned brown & strings of gunk were coming off the branches & the polyps had not extended for over a week. Then I look at it this morning & the polyps are extending & it is bright purple again. There are strings of what look like skin coming off the branches, almost like a snake shedding. Anyone have some insight on what is happening?

[icebear]

how are your water parameters and water temp? thats usually the first thing that is needed for much help to be given. Have there been any drastic changes in water quality? Lighting? How long has your tank been up and running?

[JohnH2]

All parameters are fine, temp is 81. Everything else in the tank is doing great. It's a 90G w/20G sump & with 4 X110 VHO lighting. I do 15% water changes twice monthly. No other problems in the tank & now the Gorg looks like it is ok again. This is the only gorg I have ever have, so I thought someone who kaaps them has seen this happen before???

[Spanky]

John, they do shed. Just fan or blow it off with something. Not too hard though.

Jerel

[jadavis01]

Yes, it is normal for the purple gorgs to shed. They are photosynthetic and the shedding is how they get rid of excess algal growth.

[JohnH2]

Thanks guys! Pretty neat trick they do. My fiance liked it even when the polyps weren't coming ut & I thought it was dead. Glad I kept in in the tank!