Grube's Gorgonian

Pinnigorgia flava is a gorgonian that lives on Indo-Pacific reefs and carries zooxanthellae in its tissue. The colony is a bushy structure of thin, dense branches that branch in a feather-like pattern; the branches are yellowish or light brown and the polyps golden brown. Because it is photosynthetic, unlike colorful gorgonians that cannot survive without regular feeding, it can be kept in a reef aquarium for a long time, and aquacultured colonies are available. It is also sold in the trade under the name "Grube's gorgonian."

• Moderate to strong light (about 150–300 PAR); acclimate it slowly.
• Strong, random flow, but the branches should not be constantly battered from one direction.
• The middle zone of the rockwork; fix the base securely with glue in a crevice or on a frag plug. A loose colony topples over in the current and its tissue gets damaged.
• Salinity 1.024–1.026, KH 7–11 dKH; a mature aquarium of at least 200 liters.

It feeds by photosynthesis; supplementing with fine zooplankton or powdered coral food 1–2 times a week improves its color and branching. Reduce the flow for a few minutes during feeding.

It is peaceful and does not attack neighboring corals. Keep it away from stinging LPS corals and crust-forming encrusting corals, and leave the area where the branches will sway in the current clear. Butterflyfish and some angelfish may pick at the polyps.