Sea Fan problem?

[Chubosco]

I bought a gorgonian that was feeding and completely out. Now that it is at home I have noticed knots or swelling in parts of the limbs. If you have ever gardened they look like galls on a plant. There are pulps all over it like the rest of the limbs but I am wondering if this might be something inside the limb like a worm to make it swell like that. I have a blueberry gorgonian that I don't want infected if this really a problem. Anybody know?

 

[Anonymous]

Just speculating here, but Im wondering if it isn't a gall crab-a lil critter that makes a home like what you've described. I've read about them, but thought they only infest stylopora and pavona sp. corals. It's the females that basically find a niche and allow the coral to grow around them, imprisoning them inside, while the male roams free ain't that the way :lol:


Can ya post a picture? From what I remember the way you could tell there was a crab in residence was to look closely for small holes that the critters uses for respiration and food capture.

 

[Chubosco]

No camera thanks to my daughter. I noticed a small hole in the one but not the others. Guess I will have to wait and see. And don't forget what the female seahorse does to her poor guy.

 

[fungia]

maybe it is captured prey that it hasnt digested yet? i have not heard of worms or internal infections for gorgonians.