Leptogorgia vigulata - (Sea Whip)
Whip up a challenge — feed it well, and it will flourish.
What You Get
Commonly called a Sea Whip, Leptogorgia vigulata is a non-photosynthetic (NPS) gorgonian found attached to hard bottom from roughly 5–40 feet deep. Its branches range from slender and delicate to slightly more robust, with natural variation in thickness and branching pattern. Coloration can shift with season and collection site, but rich purples are the most consistent and frequently available form.
Like most NPS gorgonians, this Sea Whip sports bright white polyps that extend beautifully in strong flow, giving it a soft, fluttering look when it’s happy and well-fed. These corals rely on regular feeding with fine coral foods, planktonic blends, or other high-quality prepared NPS diets rather than light for energy. All of our Sea Whips are securely mounted on reef plugs for easy placement and stability.
Why It’s GORGeous
-
Color: Striking purple, red, orange, or yellow branches contrasted with snowy white polyps for a classic NPS look.
-
Movement: Polyps flutter and sway in strong, alternating flow, adding life and motion to shaded areas.
-
Placement: Being an NPS gorg, it can be placed in shadier areas of the tank as long as there is flow.
-
NPS personality: A rewarding Sea Whip for aquarists ready to “whip up” a challenge and feeding routine.
-
Natural variation: Subtle differences in branch thickness, shape, and tone keep each colony unique.
Sizing & Availability
Each Sea Whip typically ranges from 5–8 inches in height, with its exact shape determined by natural growth and collection site. All are mounted to standard reef plugs. Color forms beyond purple (such as brighter or mixed tones) tend to be more seasonal, while purple remains the most reliably available throughout the year.
Traits
Color Purple, Red, Orange, or Yellow
Ease Intermediate (requires regular feeding)
Classification Non-photosynthetic gorgonian (Sea Whip)
Nutrient Uptake None. It's a gorg. ;)
Use Display specimen
Lighting Low–Moderate (NPS; not light-dependent)
Flow Strong, alternating flow preferred
Availability Seasonal; purple most consistent
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 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 gorgonians like this Sea Whip 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.
