Purple Plexaura Gorgonian

Plexaura sp

Saltwater Coral Species Group: Plexaura Family: Plexauridae

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Water parameters

Temp 76-80 F Temperature

Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.

 pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of Hydrogen

Measuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.

 NO3 1-20 ppm Nitrate

While less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.

 NO2 <0.0001 ppm Nitrite

It is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia

 PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm Phosphate

It is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.

 NH3 <0.1 ppm Ammonia

It is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death

 Ca 380 - 450 ppm Calcium

Supporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae

 KH 8 - 12 dKH Alkalinity

It acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.

 Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm Magnesium

It enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.

 SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG Salinity

Essential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals

 ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction Potential

A higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.

About Purple Plexaura Gorgonian

General information

In general, gorgonians coming from the genus Plexaura are considered as colonial ocotcorals. They have a branching colony and the axial core of its coral skeleton is usually thorny and hollow with no sclerites. One of the easy identification characterisitics for the genus Plexaura is their polyps which has an 8-pinnate tentacles.

As for the Purple Plexaura Gorgonian, they are predominantly colored violet with white tentacles. This are the water parameters for cultivating Purple Plexaura Gorgonian:

  • Calcium: 420 – 440 ppm
  • Alkalinity: 2.86 – 4.259 MEQ/L (8 – 12 dKH)
  • Phosphates: > 0.10 mg/L
  • Magnesium: 1260 – 1350
  • Strontium: 8 -10 mg/L
  • Temperature: 72° – 78° F (22° – 26° C)
  • Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 – 1.025
  • pH: 8.1 – 8.4

Diet & nutrition

The Purple Plexaura Gorgonian is not a photosynthetic species. They get their nourishment by snatching small foods present in the water like plankton. Supplemental feeding is highly advised where you can give them brine shrimp and mysis.

Determining sex

The Purple Plexaura Gorgonian should be placed at the bottom portion of the tank. You may need a gel glue or putty to fasten them on an exposed rock.

Breeding & spawning

The Purple Plexaura Gorgonian only requires minimal lighting but a strong flow of water. This is the reason why they should be placed at the bottom of the tank.

Origination

The Purple Plexaura Gorgonian are a subtropical species found in the Western Atlantic Ocean, particularly in the USA and Canada.

Cautions

While the Purple Plexaura Gorgonian is not aggressive, you still need to give ample space between other species corals. What you should be cautious is during the handling process since the branches are highly brittle and can easily break off.

Acclimation process

Purple Plexaura Gorgonian are purely marine species. Therefore, salinity must be entirely maintained from 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity.

All photos

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