Encrusting Gorgonian

Erythropodium caribaeorum

Care Level	Easy — great beginner coral
Lighting	Low to moderate
Water Flow	Moderate
Placement	Low to mid rock
Aggression	Peaceful, spreads
Coloration	Tan to purple mat with feathery brown polyps

Overview

The Encrusting Gorgonian (Erythropodium caribaeorum) is a hardy, photosynthetic Caribbean gorgonian that grows as a spreading encrusting mat covered in long, feathery polyps that sway in the current — often mistaken for green star polyps or a soft coral. Unlike the demanding non-photosynthetic gorgonians, this one derives energy from light and is one of the easiest, most forgiving corals available, making it an excellent beginner choice.

Care & Placement

Give low-to-moderate light and moderate flow; the feathery polyps extend and wave beautifully in good current. Place low-to-mid on rock. It encrusts and spreads over rock (and can climb onto glass or neighbors), so many keepers give it a dedicated rock or island to keep it contained.

Feeding

Photosynthetic — it meets most of its needs from light through symbiotic zooxanthellae. It also captures fine plankton, so occasional feeding of fine coral foods can boost growth, but it is not required.

Propagation

Very easy to frag — cut or peel a section of the encrusting mat and glue it to a new rock or plug; it re-encrusts and spreads quickly, much like star polyps.

Cautions

A fast spreader that will overgrow and shade out slower neighbors — give it its own rock or trim it back. When its polyps stay retracted for a day or two it is usually just shedding or reacting to flow/irritation, which is normal. Otherwise peaceful and extremely hardy.