Purple Brush Gorgonian, help!

[Pandora82977]

I purchased a Purple Brush Gorgonian online from eBay.

I unpacked the box and the gorgonian frag was in a bag with water(cold, no heat pack) and wrapped in paper towels.

When I removed the paper towels from the frag, most (like 95%) of the coral's "skin" came off with it! All the purple was stuck to the towels! I mounted the "stick" that was left of my frag and placed it in my reef, but I'm wondering if it is a lost cause.

Will the gorgonian make a comeback? What can I do to help it along? I would hate to have wasted my $40 and worse yet, lose what could be a great coral!

 

[mogurnda]

Welcome to AC!

Sounds like the gorgonian melted down during shipping. The purple stuff is the live tissue, which covers the stiff skeleton called the axis.

I have had this happen from shipping stress, and have managed to save some of the coral by cutting the section(s) with live tissue away from the dying areas. Basically try to separate whatever healthy tissue is there from the dying bits. Put itin good, but not excessive current, and it may yet survive.

I have never heard of wrapping frags in paper towels. Sounds like a bad idea.