Goniopora care tips.

[Fugu]

Since more and more members are keeping goniopora in their reefs, I thought it might help if everyone is equipped with enough knowledge so they survive longer than 8-12 months. The best resource I found so far: http://www.goniopora.org/ and this http://www.reefcraze.com/ and this http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005- ... /index.php

And these tips from A. Thiel:
*The coral is not really all that demanding on the water quality. Surprisingly enough it does well in murky waters and in water that is high in organic material. Perhaps 'overskimming' is a problem as that may deprive the coral of much required nutrients
* Use a complete additive to provide additional nutrients
* Depending on where it came from it does better under either intense or medium light conditions
* It requires good strong current from various directions so that the tentacles wave in the water and are in constant motion. This is very important, keep it clean of food stuff and other detritus so no bacterial infections start
* It feeds mostly at night
* Plankton needs to be present for it to be able to feed. You may wish to add live plankton from time to time.
* Detritus settles easily between the long tentacles. This is not good at all and will quickly lead to problems
* Any detritus that settles in between the tentacles must be removed either by the water current or by blowing it out with a water jet (e.g. power head or turkey baster).
* If detritus, especially of organic nature remains hidden within the tentacles it will decay and give rise to anaerobic activity and often leads to bacterial infection
* Brown Jelly disease is a very common sign of the above.
* The main polyp can extend quite a bit and is then very fragile. The slightest rub by another motile animal can damage the polyp which can then easily become diseased
* Scratches by other animals in the tank (e.g. urchins) or pieces of rock that fall on the coral can be enough for an onset of disease
* Bristle worms need to be eradicated as they will damage this coral (use a Six-Line wrasse for instance)
* If the coral is not affected by a bacterial disease, a fungal one is another cause for the loss of specimens. This is typified by white paste developing on the coral (looks like toothpaste)
* Give the coral plenty of room as it can extend/expand considerably
* Keep other stinging corals well away from your Goniopora
* It does not do well close to Euphyllia corals. The mucus from Euphyllia may sting it and lead to disease and eventual loss of the coral
* Position it towards the middle of the tank. They seem to do better there
* If the coral refuse to extend its polyps it may either be receiving too much PAR or not enough. Move the coral around to locations with either more or less light and determine whether it does better
* Do not touch the main polyp with your hands. This appears to cause negative reactions in my experience
* Anemones should be kept at a good distance from them as well
* It needs strong current! The tentacles need to sway in all directions.
* From time to time blow the coral clean with water so that mucus and detritus are removed.

Albert Thiel

I presume this also applies for Alveoporas. I tried a gigas but was not successful. I hope this helps some of you.

[jolt26]

[Fugu]

[jolt26]

yes fugu, thanks. this is one of the most common corals found here, giving the notion that it is very easy to keep one...

[Fugu]

I've tried keeping a branching Alveopora gigas, it whithered away within a year inspite of feeding phyto and seafood mash.

[jolt26]