Eunicea spp. - (Tan Candelabra Gorgonian)
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What You Get
Commonly called the Tan Candelabra Gorgonian, this photosynthetic Eunicea sp. grows into thick, upright branches that fork and spread like a natural underwater candelabra. Branches are typically light tan to beige, with large brown polyps that give each arm a soft, textured appearance when extended.
This species is native to the Gulf of Mexico and is known for being hardy and adaptable in the aquarium. Its sturdy, cylindrical branches can handle strong water movement, making it a great choice for higher-flow areas where other corals might struggle. Under full-spectrum reef lighting, the warm neutral tones of this gorgonian pair beautifully with brighter macros, SPS, and LPS corals.
Why It’s GORGeous
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Color: Light tan branches with bold brown polyps for a natural, warm reef look.
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Shape: Candelabra-style branching that adds height, structure, and a sculptural silhouette.
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Photosynthetic: Contains symbiotic zooxanthellae and thrives under strong, full-spectrum lighting.
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Flow-loving: Thick branches handle high, turbulent flow without collapsing or tearing.
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Behavior: Like many gorgonians, it will periodically shed a thin tissue layer to clear algae and sediment—its own built-in housekeeping.
Sizing & Availability
We offer single Tan Candelabra Gorgonian specimens mounted on reef plugs, typically ranging from 6–8 inches tall at the time of shipping. Branch thickness, number of tips, and overall shape vary naturally by colony and collection site. This is generally a reliable, regularly collected Gulf species, though size and fullness may shift with season and weather.
Traits
Color Light tan branches; brown polyps
Ease Easy–Intermediate
Classification Photosynthetic gorgonian
Nutrient Uptake None. It's a gorg! ;)
Use Display specimen
Lighting Moderate–High (full-spectrum)
Flow Moderate–Strong
Availability Regularly collected
A Note from the Collectors:
Every gorgonian we offer is hand-collected, acclimated, and observed by our team before shipping. While we carefully try to remove algae, sponges, and tiny 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!
Photosynthetic gorgonians like this Eunicea may occasionally shed a thin outer layer as part of their normal maintenance. This “peeling” phase helps clear film and debris; once it passes, polyps typically extend more fully and the branches appear freshly cleaned.
We ship via 2-Day service on Mondays and Tuesdays only to ensure specimens arrive healthy. Tracking information is provided as soon as your order ships.
