So Dr. Ron was the first speaker at DFWMas Next Wave and gave a very informative presentation on some research he's been doing on feeding gorgonians. Here are his findings.

Main points:
  • In nature, each gorgonian polyp eats up to 8 times a day, grabbing food that is being delivered on currents that are up to 132,000 gallons per hour. No way we can replicate that.
  • Food particles need to have particular shape / size / flavor or will be rejected by the gorg polyps.
  • The flow needs to be laminar and high velocity, but in a predictable direction (not turbulent), flowing from behind the polyps, not into the polyps. The shape of the polyp itself breaks the current and creates a little vortex that sucks the food particle into the polyp.
  • Frequency and amount of food offered is more important than the mixture of food itself.
  • Recommended food is a mixture of phytoplankton, oyster eggs, and artemia cysts. Baby brine shrimp also appreciated.
  • Target feeding is not really effective.
  • Super glue can kill gorgonians.
Hope that's helpful!