Are these gorgonians photosynthetic?

[Lineatus]

I’m looking to buy some gorgonians but can’t figure out if they are photosynthetic or not, any ideas? These are both labelled as Muricea species, which from my knowledge tend to be photosynthetic but just thought I’d double check. Thanks

 

[Dburr1014]

First one, I believe it is.
Second one, not sure.

More answers should come soon enough

 

[dennis romano]

On the left, yes. On the right, no.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Agree with Deburr- I have both. One on right is more ornamental

 

[Lineatus]

Thanks for the help everyone!

Well, unfortunately that piece got grabbed before I could get it ordered. They’ve sent me a picture of a few more gorgs they have in stock. Any thoughts on these?
Ive also attached a picture of the specimen I’ve already got, I’d like to avoid duplicates, do you think these are the same species? The one I own is commonly sold as “pink gorgonian”, can’t seem to find a reliable scientific name anywhere online.

 

[dennis romano]

The purple gorgs in the upper photo are photosynthetic Caribbeans. The yellow ones in that picture are non photosynthetic and need to be fed. Can't tell what the gorg is in the lower photo.

 

[EgotisticObeseChihuahua]

The purple gorgs in the upper photo are photosynthetic Caribbeans. The yellow ones in that picture are non photosynthetic and need to be fed. Can't tell what the gorg is in the lower photo.

How can you tell if one is photosynthetic or not?

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

Thanks for the help everyone!

Well, unfortunately that piece got grabbed before I could get it ordered. They’ve sent me a picture of a few more gorgs they have in stock. Any thoughts on these?
Ive also attached a picture of the specimen I’ve already got, I’d like to avoid duplicates, do you think these are the same species? The one I own is commonly sold as “pink gorgonian”, can’t seem to find a reliable scientific name anywhere online.

Both are photosynthetic. Top look similar to carribean type species and The bottom looks to b the pacific grubes gorgonian

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I have a few photosynthetis purple in the system. View across the top

 

[Lineatus]

So are those in the first picture Caribbean purples? that’s what I’ve been looking for
Do we agree the one ive already got (second picture) isn’t the same as the ones in the first picture?

 

[Northwest_Scapes_]

How can you tell if one is photosynthetic or not?

The best rule of thumb is to look at the polyp color. Generally, Photosynthetic species will have brown / tan polyps because of the zooxanthellae in their polyps. Non-Photosynthetic species will have white, gold, purple, pink, blue etc. So basically any color besides brown for the most part.
Another good way to tell is also the color of the coral itself. A lot of Photosynthetic species tend to also be Brown, Tan, Creme, Purple, and a darker Yellow. Non-Photosynthetic have the crazy colors like Pink, Orange, Blue, Purple & Yellow, etc. You still should try and look at the polyps for sure because that's the best way to tell, but if it's closed IMO this is the second best way to tell. Basically the crazier colors it has, the higher chance of it being a NPS is probably true.

 

[Northwest_Scapes_]

I’m looking to buy some gorgonians but can’t figure out if they are photosynthetic or not, any ideas? These are both labelled as Muricea species, which from my knowledge tend to be photosynthetic but just thought I’d double check. Thanks

The first picture I'm a little weary on but I'm 90% sure it's photosynthetic, Purple Ribbon Gorgonian (Pterogorgia anceps) is what comes to mind. The one on the left I'm also pretty sure is a Stylaster Coral (Non-Photosynthetic) based off the color and branches, those have an almost 100% mortality rate in captivity. The only person I know keeping them successfully is @/darksidereefing on Instagram.

 

[Northwest_Scapes_]

Thanks for the help everyone!

Well, unfortunately that piece got grabbed before I could get it ordered. They’ve sent me a picture of a few more gorgs they have in stock. Any thoughts on these?
Ive also attached a picture of the specimen I’ve already got, I’d like to avoid duplicates, do you think these are the same species? The one I own is commonly sold as “pink gorgonian”, can’t seem to find a reliable scientific name anywhere online.

The top left is definitely a Plume Gorgonian (Pseudopterogorgia bipinnata) (Photosynthetic). There's a gold variety and a Purple Variety, the lighting makes it look gold in the pic but eitherway, Photosynthetic and easy to keep. The one on the right is a Yellow Finger Gorgonian (diodogorgia nodulifera) (Non-Photosynthetic). These very rarely make it past a year and a half even in public aquariums. Which sucks because they're one of the most commonly sold NPS.
The bottom is for sure Photosynthetic, I'm not confident on an ID but to me it looks like an ORA Grube's Gorgonian (Pinnigorgia flava).

 

[EgotisticObeseChihuahua]

The best rule of thumb is to look at the polyp color. Generally, Photosynthetic species will have brown / tan polyps because of the zooxanthellae in their polyps. Non-Photosynthetic species will have white, gold, purple, pink, blue etc. So basically any color besides brown for the most part.
Another good way to tell is also the color of the coral itself. A lot of Photosynthetic species tend to also be Brown, Tan, Creme, Purple, and a darker Yellow. Non-Photosynthetic have the crazy colors like Pink, Orange, Blue, Purple & Yellow, etc. You still should try and look at the polyps for sure because that's the best way to tell, but if it's closed IMO this is the second best way to tell. Basically the crazier colors it has, the higher chance of it being a NPS is probably true.

Thanks

 

[Lineatus]

The top left is definitely a Plume Gorgonian (Pseudopterogorgia bipinnata) (Photosynthetic). There's a gold variety and a Purple Variety, the lighting makes it look gold in the pic but eitherway, Photosynthetic and easy to keep. The one on the right is a Yellow Finger Gorgonian (diodogorgia nodulifera) (Non-Photosynthetic). These very rarely make it past a year and a half even in public aquariums. Which sucks because they're one of the most commonly sold NPS.
The bottom is for sure Photosynthetic, I'm not confident on an ID but to me it looks like an ORA Grube's Gorgonian (Pinnigorgia flava).

That’s really helpful. Thanks so much