Bushy Sea Whip

About

Bushy Sea Whip (Ellisella schmitti) is a gorgonian coral native to the subtropical waters of the western Atlantic, found along the coastlines of the United States and Canada. Like all gorgonians, it is sessile, anchoring itself to hard substrate and extending its colony into the water column to capture passing particulate matter and plankton carried by the current. The branching, whip-like structure gives the colony its common name, and in the aquarium it makes for an architecturally interesting addition to a reef display. It is considered reef safe, so tankmates and other invertebrates are not a concern from a compatibility standpoint. Among gorgonians, Ellisella schmitti is listed as a beginner-level coral, which is somewhat encouraging, though it is worth noting that many gorgonians have a reputation for being finicky if their flow and feeding needs go unmet. Providing consistent moderate water movement is important to keep the colony healthy and prevent sediment from settling on the polyps. Source data on this species in captivity is limited, so hobbyists considering it would do well to research gorgonian husbandry broadly and be prepared to supplement with regular target feeding.