Sea Whip

About

Sea whip (Junceella juncea) is a gorgonian coral native to the Indo-West Pacific, where it grows across a remarkable depth range from shallow reef zones down into much deeper water. Unlike the branching gorgonians many reef keepers are familiar with, this species grows as a single, long, flexible rod. An elegant and minimalist form that stands out in a display. Its unbranched silhouette makes it easy to place in a tank without worrying about crowding neighboring corals, and it tends to sway gently in a good flow, adding a sense of life and movement to the aquascape. For a gorgonian, it is considered a relatively approachable choice, which is good news for hobbyists who want to try soft gorgonian corals without jumping straight into the most demanding species. Moderate lighting and steady but not overpowering water movement suit it well. As with most non-photosynthetic or partially photosynthetic gorgonians, target feeding will help keep it healthy over the long term, so that is worth factoring into your routine. It has been documented at Spratly Island reefs among other Indo-Pacific locations, giving some sense of the warm, tropical reef environments it calls home.