Purple Candelabra Gorgonian

Name: Purple Candelabra Gorgonian
Brand: New Dawn Aquaculture
Price: 44.99 CAD
Availability: InStock

$44.99

Earn [points_amount] when you buy this item.

Plexaura flexuosa

This is a photosynthetic gorgonian.

Difficulty	Low
Lighting	Medium - High Light
Water Flow	Medium - High Flow
Temperament	Peaceful
Placement	Bottom - Top

PLEXAURA

Plexaura corals, often referred to as gorgonians, are tall thin branching corals. They have 85 recognized species within their genus and are photosynthetic. They have small polyps and are typically pink/purple.

They feed through small polyps on their branches and are known to be easy to care for corals.

WATER CHEMISTRY

Plexaura are fairly forgiving when it comes to water chemistry. It makes it a good coral for beginners so long as they give them proper flow and light. We have found they even tend to prefer dirtier waters. While we have our preferred parameters for Alkalinity, Phosphate, and Nitrate, Plexaura will do far better in your system if you just focus on keeping the water chemistry stable. If your Alkalinity, Phosphate, or Nitrate is out of line, our recommendation is to get it back to your target levels as slowly as possible.

The parameters we aim for are:

Alkalinity	8.3 dKH
Phosphate	0.05 - 0.15 ppm
Nitrate	5.0 - 15.0 ppm

We maintain these levels by use of dosing pumps, with Brightwell Aquatics Reef Code A and Reef Code B.

It's important to understand that these are the levels that we aim for in our systems. However, that doesn't mean they are the right levels for your system. All aquariums are different and your system may naturally fall on a different balance. You're better off working with the balance your system tends towards than trying to force the same levels that we run.

FLOW

In terms of flow Plexaura corals will need to be kept in a moderate flow area. You will know you have the right flow when the colonies branches are stirring slightly, but not enough that they are blown over or knocked into their neighbors. Polyp extension is also important to look out for as there is too much flow when there is no polyp extension and detritus build up with too little.

LIGHTING

Plexaura gorgonians are photosynthetic which means they require moderate - high light. They tend to be happiest with moderate lighting. As with many corals, too much light can cause discoloration and receding flesh. As we’ve mentioned before, these coral can be trained for higher PAR, but if this is your wish we recommend doing it slowly as the potential for bleaching is high.

Our Water Parameters

Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-78 °F)
Salinity: 1.026 SG, 35 ppt
PH: 8.1-8.4
Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppb
Nitrate: 3-15ppm
Phosphate: 0.03-0.15 ppm
Alkalinity: 8 dKH
Calcium: 440 ppm
Magnesium: 1320 ppm

Acclimation

Temperature Match

Float the sealed bag containing the coral in your tank for 15-20 minutes. This allows the coral to gradually reach the same temperature as your aquarium, minimizing temperature-related stress.

Prepare and Dip Coral

To ensure the health and safety of your new coral, prepare a dip solution using tank water and a coral dip product, following the dip’s instructions for dosage and timing. This precautionary dip helps protect your tank by eliminating any potential hitchhikers. Keep an eye on the coral during the process to confirm it’s responding well.

Rinse in Tank Water

After the dip, rinse the coral thoroughly in a separate container filled with clean tank water. This step removes any residual dip solution, preventing it from entering your display tank and ensuring the coral is safe to be introduced.

Introduce Coral

Carefully position the coral in your tank, ideally on a rock or suitable location based on the coral’s needs. Make sure the placement allows proper flow and lighting according to the coral species. Monitor the coral for the next few hours to ensure it adjusts well.

How We Pack Livestock

At New Dawn Aquaculture, we take every step to ensure your marine life arrives alive and thriving!

Carefully Packed for a Safe Journey

Livestock is hand-packed in sealed oxygen-filled bags with fresh saltwater.
Insulated coolers with heat or ice packs keep conditions stable, regardless of weather.
Built to handle up to 48 hours in transit.

Fast Delivery, Every Time

We ship FedEx Priority Overnight so your marine life arrives the next day, reducing stress and maximizing health.

Our Promise

Healthy, vibrant marine life delivered to your door, guaranteed. Shop with peace of mind—your aquarium deserves the best!

Arrive Alive Guarantee Policy

At New Dawn Aquaculture, we guarantee that your livestock arrives alive and healthy—no exceptions. Here's how it works:

What’s Covered

All shipped livestock, including corals, fish, inverts, and live foods.

How It Works

Be present for delivery and follow our acclimation guide.
Report any issues within 48 hours of delivery by emailing info@ndaquaculture.ca with clear photos of the unopened livestock.