Fish picking at Gorgonian

ATLe46 · 12-17-2003, 01:25 PM

I recently added a purple encrusted gorgonian to my tank. It has yet to open up and all of my fish go by and pick at it. The culprits include a Kole Tang, six-line, 3 cardinals, and even my lawnmower. Is this common? I had a gorgonian for a couple years a while back, and this never happened. The fish make it look like a feeding stick. I can't see any visible algae on it, so I don't know what they're picking at.

Mafiaman · 12-17-2003, 01:45 PM

They may be picking at shock slim that comes from handling.
Or maybe they aint?

ATLe46 · 12-18-2003, 09:15 AM

Thanks Mafia. I can't see any visible slime; the gorgonian has been in the tank for a couple weeks now.

m&m · 12-18-2003, 09:24 AM

i have 4 in my tank and the fish some times peck at it but do no damage to it. they are just pecking at the debris that gets caught up on them.i also have snails and crabs that go on it ocassionaly to clean it and again no damage.They have been in my tank for 3yrs and tripled in size.

ATLe46 · 12-18-2003, 10:15 AM

Thanks m&m. But none of the polyps are opening and it looks like the fish are picking the flesh off the base and branches.