{"product_id":"colorful-sea-whip-gorgonian-copy","title":"Purple Candleabra Sea Rod","description":"\u003c!-- GCE Product Template – Gorgonian Line (Purple Accent) --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gce-product\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003ci\u003ePlexaura flexuosa \u003c\/i\u003e- (Sea Rod)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"gce-hr\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #9b48a8;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Aimee, you gotta get down here.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery so often, we dedicate a day to exploration. We'll study charts, satellite imagery, and bottom maps before heading out to investigate places we've never collected before.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn one of those trips, diver Thomas was the first one in the water. Instead of staying to collect, he surfaced and said:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Aimee, you gotta get down here.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe knew what we had been hoping to find...Purple Candelabra Sea Rods (\u003cem\u003ePlexaura flexuosa\u003c\/em\u003e). And not just a single colony, but a healthy population from which we felt comfortable selectively and sustainably collecting and introducing as a comeback offering from Gulf Coast Ecosystems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor us, this species represents everything we love about exploration: research, a little luck in the vast ocean, and occasionally discovering something we've been searching for all along. Better yet, it's something many of our customers have been searching for too!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"gce-hr\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eWhat You Get\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ePurple Candelabra Sea Rod \u003c\/strong\u003eis a striking Caribbean gorgonian known for its deep purple coloration and branching growth. Its candelabra-shaped form adds a unique but natural element to aquariums of any size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen extended, hundreds of tiny tan to white polyps emerge from the colony, creating a fuzzy appearance and a dimensional contrast against the solid purple branches. Polyp extension may vary throughout the day depending on flow, feeding, and aquarium conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Purple Candleabra Sea Rods can be sensitive during shipping, acclimated and established specimens are hardy photosynthetic gorgonians that adapt readily to aquarium life when provided with moderate to strong water movement and stable reef conditions. As the colony matures, it develops additional branches and a more intricate growth form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause Purple Candelabra Sea Rods occur naturally in a variety of shapes and branching patterns, every specimen is unique. And if you'd like multiples, also check out our site for the Lavender Candleabra Sea Rod!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"gce-hr\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy It’s GORGeous\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Striking purple with contrasting white to tan fuzzy polyps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e While the Sea Rod itself should only slightly sway in the flow, the extended polyps give the gorgonian a very active look.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep algae and debris off the branches, and place it mid-tank. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCollector personality:\u003c\/strong\u003e These gorgonians are perfect for enthusiasts who want a hardy, colorful, not-often-offered piece in their aquarium.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNatural variation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Subtle differences in branch thickness, shape, and tone keep each colony unique.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"gce-hr\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSizing \u0026amp; Availability\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach Sea Rod typically ranges from\u003cstrong\u003e 4-6 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e in height, with its exact shape determined by natural growth and collection site. All are mounted to standard reef plugs. We have found several established colonies that we will sustainably frag to ensure regular availability. We do have a few larger specimens, email us if you're interested.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"gce-hr\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gce-traits\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTraits\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gce-traits-grid\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gce-trait\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"label\"\u003eColor\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"value\"\u003ePurple\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gce-trait\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"label\"\u003eEase\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"value\"\u003eIntermediate (hardy once established)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gce-trait\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"label\"\u003eClassification\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"value\"\u003ePhotosynthetic Sea Rod\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gce-trait\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"label\"\u003eNutrient Uptake\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"value\"\u003eNone. It's a gorg. ;)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gce-trait\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"label\"\u003eUse\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"value\"\u003eDisplay specimen\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gce-trait\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"label\"\u003eLighting\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"value\"\u003eModerate\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gce-trait\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"label\"\u003eFlow\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"value\"\u003eModerate; alternating\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gce-trait\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"label\"\u003eAvailability\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"value\"\u003eLimited new offering!\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gce-trait\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"value\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"gce-note\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA Note from the Collectors:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery gorgonian we offer is hand-collected, acclimated, and observed by our team before shipping. While we carefully try to remove hitchhikers, it’s possible that a few “goodies” from the reef may tag along. It's a natural part of receiving genuine wild-collected specimens!\u003cbr\u003eGorgonians like this Sea Rod will arrive with polyps withdrawn from transport. Under moderate steady flow, lighting, and with regular feeding, they typically reopen and resume normal extension within a short time.\u003cbr\u003eWe ship via 2-Day service on Mondays and Tuesdays only to ensure specimens arrive healthy. You’ll receive tracking information as soon as your order ships.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Plexaura flexuosa","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44485193138218,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0678\/9667\/2298\/files\/Plexauraflexuosa_PurpleCandleabra_Hero.png?v=1782008854","url":"https:\/\/gulfcoasteco.myshopify.com\/products\/colorful-sea-whip-gorgonian-copy","provider":"live-plants","version":"1.0","type":"link"}