Alveopora

[yardboy]

I feel like I've been tricked. I was in an lfs this morning about an hour away, only thing they had was what I thought was an alveopora. Too big for my tank. Went to my lfs in town, and they'd gotten two much smaller ones. I thought I'd read that they were easier to raise than Gonipera. Just to make sure, got a book in the lps (Sprung's "Picture Book of Corals", or something like that) and they said that the hardiness was like 8 on a scale of 1-10, so I bought it. Now searching here and in Borneman's Aquarium Corals, I realize I've got a mess. The coral is pretty, and I'll try my best, but I can't understand how two different books say two different things. I will go back to that lfs and make sure who wrote it and wonder why they said it. Anyway, here he is with polyps expanded and looking happy, for now.

[Doug1]

Well you definatly have an alveopora, the 12 armed tentacles are the key, goni have 24. Supposedly they are hardier but the key is getting them to flourish.
They seem to do better in higher nutrient lagoonal systems, I am not sure if anyone has keyed into what exactly they prey one but I would think that having a large diverse refugium increases the chances of them finding prey items that meet their criteria. Most coral polyps are adapted to favor certain sized prey whether it be zoo or phytoplankton.
Anyone else had anyluck with these?

[Imaexpat2]

I got a goregous irredecent turquoise one, and have had it for 3 months. I too read that they were kinda on the tough side, but were easier than Gonipora. I decided to get one anyways as the one in the display tank at the LFS has been there for about 6 months and is florishing rather well. Mine is in a better tank, condition wise the the LFS, and seems to be doing well. I still have execelent polyp extension, and good color thus far. This is just my experience so far, not sure how long it will last. Got my finger crossed!