Pterogorgia guadalupensis - (Groove Blade Gorgonian)
Get your reef into the groove!
What You Get
The Groove Blade Gorgonian, Pterogorgia guadalupensis, is a photosynthetic gorgonian native to Florida waters in both the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic. Instead of thin branches, it grows into wide, fleshy tan–yellow or tan-purple blades that stand upright in the flow, giving it a bold, architectural presence in the aquarium.
Each blade features a raised central rib and distinct grooves, with two neat rows of polyps along the blade. The combination of smooth surfaces, raised ridges, and tidy polyp rows makes this species instantly recognizable and a favorite for aquascapers looking for something beyond standard “stick” gorgonians. It’s photosynthetic, hardy, and well-suited to mixed reef setups under strong, full-spectrum lighting.
Why It’s GORGeous
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Unique form: Wide, flat blades with a raised groove give this gorgonian a sculptural, modern look.
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Color: Warm tan–yellow or or tan-purple tones that pair beautifully with brighter corals and macroalgae.
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Polyps: Two organized rows of tan polyps along each blade add subtle texture and movement.
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Photosynthetic: Contains symbiotic zooxanthellae and thrives under full-spectrum reef lighting.
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Community-friendly: Can be placed near others of the same species to create a clustered “groove garden.”
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Self-cleaning: Like many gorgonians, it will periodically shed a thin layer to clear film and sediment.
Sizing & Availability
We offer single Groove Blade Gorgonian specimens mounted on reef plugs, typically ranging from 4–7 inches tall at the time of shipping. Blade width, branching, and overall shape vary naturally depending on collection site and flow exposure on the reef. Availability can shift with season, tides, and weather, but this species is regularly encountered in Florida waters.
Traits
Color Tan–yellow/purple blades; tan 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, cross-flow
Availability Regularly collected in Florida
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 Pterogorgia guadalupensis may occasionally shed a thin outer layer as part of their normal maintenance. This temporary “peeling” phase helps clear film and debris; once it passes, you’ll often see improved polyp extension and cleaner, more defined blade surfaces. This is especially common when adjusting to a new tank.
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.
