Pterogorgia citrina

(Esper, 1792)

Yellow Sea Blade, Green Sea Blade

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Florida, Caribbean and the Bahamas.

Natural Environment: Inhabit shallow reef flats and back reefs experiencing current swept areas and found in areas 3 - 30 feet (1 - 10 m) deep and attains 12 inch (30 cm) heights.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade, and can be either yellowish or greenish, with some specimens an orange to purple.

Has a flattened blade-like appearance with a somewhat triangular cross section.

Requires strong light and excellent water movement.

Plankton-like foodstuffs are beneficial, yet a species difficult to maintain long-term.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Octocorallia

Order: Anlcyonacea

Suborder: Holaxonia

Family: Gorgoniidae

Genus: Pterogorgia

FYI: Polyps may tend to stay closed in the aquarium, and if so, the specimen may waste away.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Photosynthetic/Plankton feeder

Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe:Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderately difficult

Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l

Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l

Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)

Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (21 - 27°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Lighting: PAR 350+

Water Movement: WM 2 - 3

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.