Menella Sea Fan
Menella Sea Fan (Akayagi) is a red gorgonian that branches repeatedly in a fork from a single main stem, forming a tall, narrow fan 30 to 50 cm high. Its living tissue is a deep blood red, and the dark brown, horny axis inside stays flexible and bends easily. The branches do not fuse together, and their tips are noticeably thicker. It is rated for experienced keepers, and little is documented about its lifespan, so plan carefully and ask the breeder about the specific colony before you bring one home.
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Menella Sea Fan key facts
- Care level
- Advanced
- Lifespan
- Little data available
- Size
- 30-50 cm tall (Nipponica)
- Diet
- Must be fed (fine particulate and plankton-type food)
- Lighting
- Most gorgonians lack zooxanthellae and do not feed on light (Reeflex); viewing light is enough.
- Flow & Placement
- As a fan, stand it with the face toward the current and fix the base firmly. The axis is flexible, but keep branches from rubbing against rock.
- Water Temperature & Quality
- A shallow-reef species from Sagami Bay southward. There is little guidance on temperature figures, so match the temperature of its origin. Salinity 33-35 ppt (SG 1.023-1.025).
- Diet & Feeding
- Azooxanthellate gorgonians need every polyp fed daily or three to four times a week (Reeflex). Turn off pumps and deliver fine particulate or frozen food to the polyps.
- Health & Cautions
- A demanding species for advanced keepers. The name Akayagi is sometimes applied to the whip-like Ellisella rubra, so confirm the colony branches into a fan.
About Menella Sea Fan
Menella Sea Fan is a red gorgonian that forms a forked fan 30–50 cm tall, with blood-red tissue and a flexible dark brown axis. Best for experienced keepers.
7 things to know before welcoming a Menella Sea Fan
1For experienced keepers
Menella Sea Fan is rated for experienced keepers. It helps to be comfortable with stable water quality and regular feeding before taking one on. If anything is unclear, ask the breeder before you buy.
2Space for a tall fan
Adults grow into a tall, narrow fan 30 to 50 cm high. Because the fan spreads in a flat plane, leave room for its width as well as its height, and decide which face you want to show before placing it.
3Getting the flow right
Fan-shaped gorgonians generally do best with their flat face turned toward the current, which helps food reach the polyps. A flow that is too strong can damage the tissue, so watch how the colony responds and adjust the direction and strength.
4Plan on feeding
Many gorgonians do not rely on photosynthesis and instead capture tiny food particles from the water, so it is safest to plan on feeding a Menella Sea Fan. The right food and frequency depend on the individual colony, so ask the breeder how it has been fed before you bring it home.
5Judging the colony's condition
Check that the living tissue covers the axis evenly and keeps its blood-red color out to the tips. If any part has thinned and the dark brown axis shows through, ask the breeder what happened. Clear photos or video of the whole colony make it easier to judge.
6Distance from neighbors
A Menella Sea Fan cannot move on its own, so its surroundings stay the same for a long time. Choose a spot where neighboring corals will not grow into the fan, and leave a generous margin. Keep the space in front of and behind the fan open so water can pass through.
7Handling on arrival
With gorgonians, the usual advice is to keep the colony underwater as much as possible while moving it into the tank and to avoid exposing it to air. Secure the base firmly to rock or a similar anchor, and resist changing its position often while it settles in.
Frequently asked questions about Menella Sea Fan
- Q.Can beginners keep Menella Sea Fan?
- A.It is rated for experienced keepers. It is best considered once you are comfortable with basic coral care, and the breeder can answer your questions before you decide.
- Q.How large does Menella Sea Fan get?
- A.Adults form a tall, narrow fan 30 to 50 cm high. Choose a tank with room in both height and width.
- Q.How long does Menella Sea Fan live?
- A.Little is documented about its lifespan, so no clear figure is known. Keeping water quality, flow, and feeding steady is likely to help you maintain it over the long term. It also helps to ask the breeder about the colony's history.
- Q.Does Menella Sea Fan need to be fed?
- A.Many gorgonians do not rely on photosynthesis, so it is safest to plan on feeding a Menella Sea Fan. The best food and frequency vary by colony, so check with the breeder before you bring it home.
- Q.Can it share a tank with other corals?
- A.The fan cannot move on its own, so place it with enough space that neighboring corals will not touch it as they grow. It is also wise to keep water flowing freely in front of and behind the fan.
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