{"product_id":"sea-whip-colorful","title":"Sea Whip Colorful","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"short-desc\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"short-desc\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"short-desc\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColorful Sea Whip (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeptogorgia virgulata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Colorful Sea Whip\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeptogorgia virgulata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eType:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Non-photosynthetic gorgonian (soft coral)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLighting:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Low to moderate lighting is recommended. Since this species does not rely on photosynthesis, intense lighting is unnecessary and may encourage nuisance algae growth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Flow:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Medium to strong, indirect water flow is essential. Consistent flow helps deliver food to the coral and prevents detritus and algae from accumulating on the branches.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Temperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Maintain water temperatures between \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e72–78°F (22–26°C)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeptogorgia virgulata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is non-photosynthetic and requires regular feeding to thrive. Feed 3–7 times per week with a variety of appropriately sized foods, including:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePhytoplankton\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFine zooplankton\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRotifers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCopepods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLiquid coral foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarine snow–type products\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTarget feeding is beneficial and can improve growth and polyp extension, although broadcast feeding may also be effective in nutrient-rich systems.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlgae Prevention:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Algae growth on the branches can smother tissue and reduce feeding efficiency. Prevent algae buildup by:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaintaining strong, turbulent water flow\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeeping nitrate and phosphate levels under control\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoiding excessive lighting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncreasing flow if algae appears rather than brushing the coral, which can damage tissue\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSupplements:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Benefits from stable reef water chemistry:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCalcium: 380–450 ppm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlkalinity: 8–10 dKH\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMagnesium: 1250–1350 ppm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTrace elements such as iodine, strontium, and other minor elements may support overall health and growth but should only be dosed carefully and tested regularly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReproduction:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAsexual reproduction occurs through branching and fragmentation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetached branches may attach to suitable surfaces and develop into new colonies.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSexual reproduction is uncommon in home aquariums.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFragging can be performed by experienced hobbyists using clean, sharp cutting tools and proper post-frag care.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Reef By Steele","offers":[{"title":"Reg\/Yellow","offer_id":51626070245682,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Reg\/Red","offer_id":51626070278450,"sku":null,"price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"XL\/Purple","offer_id":51626070311218,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0837\/1188\/5618\/files\/84D00268-B4F6-46C6-B62B-E29B33CAE31C.jpg?v=1787484753","url":"https:\/\/reefbysteele.com\/products\/sea-whip-colorful","provider":"Reef By Steele","version":"1.0","type":"link"}