Leptogorgia sp. - (Purple Sea Fan)
Let’s build a fan club.
What You Get
This non-photosynthetic Purple Sea Fan (Leptogorgia sp.) develops a beautiful, flattened, branching fan structure with knobby texture and bright white polyps that extend when well-fed. Unlike the more upright “whip-style” gorgonians, this one spreads outward in a natural fan shape that creates a soft, flowing backdrop in the aquascape.
We typically find these fans attached to hard bottom in deeper water, most commonly between 25–50 ft. Most collected specimens are a rich, velvety purple, though red or mixed-color variations occasionally appear depending on season and habitat. As a true NPS gorgonian, this species relies on regular feeding with fine coral foods, plankton, or other high-quality NPS diets rather than light. Each specimen arrives mounted on a reef plug for easy placement.
Why It’s GORGeous
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Color: Deep purple with bright white polyps for striking contrast.
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Shape: Wide, branching fan structure adds a natural, layered look to shaded reef zones.
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Movement: Polyps flutter in strong cross-flow, giving the fan a soft, swaying appearance.
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NPS reward: A great choice for hobbyists who enjoy the ritual and payoff of feeding NPS corals.
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Natural variation: Each fan develops its own branching pattern and subtle color differences.
Sizing & Availability
Each Purple Sea Fan measures approximately 6–10 inches in height or span. Fan shape and branching density vary naturally depending on collection site and current exposure. Most offerings are deep purple; red or mixed variants are less common and more seasonal.
Traits
Color Deep purple
Ease Intermediate–Advanced (requires regular feeding)
Classification Non-photosynthetic gorgonian (Sea Fan)
Nutrient Uptake None. It's a gorg. ;)
Use Display specimen
Lighting Low–Moderate (NPS; not light-dependent)
Flow Strong, alternating cross-flow
Availability Seasonal; purple most common
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 other 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!
Non-photosynthetic Sea Fans like this Leptogorgia may arrive with polyps withdrawn from transport. Under strong, steady flow and with regular feeding, they typically reopen and resume normal extension within a short time.
We 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.
