Semperina spp

[Wrasse Man]

Has anybody ever heard of these or had any experience with them? The only thing the LFS could tell me is that they are from the Phillipines. I would like as much info as possible before I buy, such as are they endangered? If not, what are the lighting requirments, are they filter feeders, etc. Basically the whole shooting match.
I did a search on Yahoo, and only came up with 2 sites. From what I can tell, it is supposed to be a sea-fan gorg.

Thanks much for all your help!

[ 06-26-2001: Message edited by: Wrasse Man ]

[MontanaRocknReefer]

Even LFS don't always get the right ID on corals. I looked in my coral book and could not find anything that was semperina spp. Can you give us a description of it? Thanks, Johnny

[Alice]

If it's from PI it's either Semperina Kolliker or Solenocaulon Gray. According to Eric Borneman not found often in the trade. Julian Sprung gives their hardiness as a 4 and that they need fairly strong current. (I think Julian's a little optimistic on his care ratings at times) Being non-photo, lighting is not an issue.

I'd feed phtyoplankton and blow some of the substrate near it with the baster on occasion.

HTH,

~Alice

[horge]

Terribly sorry!!
Things have been crazy here on this side of the Pacific!

There are indeed 'sea fans' of genus Semperina, and they are found around Southeast Asia, from west of the Malay Peninsula to just short of Papua NG, IIRC.

If that animal was indeed taken from the Philippines, then it is contraband: the collection, transport and sale of live or dead gorgs is "bawal", or forbidden

I would imagine that their care requirements run parallel to other azooxanthellate gorgs, provide with a decent source of planktonic food, good current, and lots of space: repeated, passing contact with other hard surfaces is a no-no.

They shed a fair amount of goop regularly (to deal with squatting algae, etc.), and this can be a problem for both general watr quality, as well as the peace and order within a tank: there is the danger of triggering hostilities with tankmates should the shedded mucus land on them.

So, a large tank, a prominent downstream position (so any mucus goes straight to the sump-and-frac) with a lot of 'personal space', and probably a refugium to fill in the plankton gaps between manual feedings.

They seem to prefer the cooler end of the range here in the Phils., about 80F (roughly, converting from deg. C). They are supposed to be tougher than other gorgs in the face of temp changes or exposure to air, though.

I'm surprised anyone markets that stuff, as I know it to be a rather drab gray-brown, and I always thought you Yanks loved bright colors


hth
horge

[ 06-28-2001: Message edited by: horge ]

[Wrasse Man]

Thanks all!

I was hoping one of the horges would answer

I will double check on the origins. The LFS said 'around the Philipines'. I don't want the Philipino government knocking down my door!
I had a feeling that they are planktovores, they look sort of like hollowed out gorgs. The ones I am looking at are actually a light orange and a fire engine red. Asuming that I can get confimation that they are not contraband from PI, I may give them a shot. I have a 'fuge that is kicking out pods like crazy right now, and with the addition of some other gorgs, I will start to feed DT's again.
Am I the only one here that is a sucker for gorgs?

[ 06-28-2001: Message edited by: Wrasse Man ]

[Alice]

Hmmmmm; if you like gorgs than you're familiar with the Diodogorgia, usual common name is Red FInger or Orange Finger, and this isn't them?

[Drew]

Hey Scott, which LFS are you talking about? BTW, the gorgs you fragged for me are doing great, thanks!

[Wrasse Man]

Hey Alice! Nope, I am getting a Diodogorgia nodulifera also, (look at me throwin' around the big words!) red body with yellow polyps, very cool, but very different. I was able to find a pic that pretty well matches:
You can see in this pic that it is hollow.

[ 06-28-2001: Message edited by: Wrasse Man ]