trouble with flower pot ginopora

[cypher]

when i first got it it would open up to the size of a softball. few months now it will barely opens at all. doesn't look bad no discoloration or dead spots. only change has been in flow direction of tank. it is still getting the same flow. it has some kind of worm that lives on it not sure if this is harmful. any thoughs would be appericated.

[Mrs Smith]

I don't have any words of wisdom - other than to not feel too bad if it doesn't make it. Goniporas are very difficult to keep, as we reefers really haven't figured out the secret to keeping them. There are some lucky folks out there who have some that have lived for a long time, but they're in the minority.

Sorry,
Danielle

[Doug1]

Danielles right, they have a poor record of survival in the trade.
unskimmed lagoonal tanks with established DSB and or refugium seem to help, but to the best of my knowledge no one has cracked the code and figured out the secret to consistant success in keeping these alive long term

[jeepjon]

In JS's Reef Aquarium, he says gonioporia doesn't really live in captivity for some reason...

[cypher]

well i'll keep working on it. i have a branching one as well it seems to be doing great. hopefully it will do better then the flower pot. (knock on wood)

[cypher]

here's a pic of the worm that seems to live on my ginopora. any one know if his is bad or good. wondering if this is causeing trouble? sory not great pic. the worm is about 6 in long!

[Awestralian]

AHA! i knew it...
My lfs sold me one of these, and told me it was named something altogether different, and couldnt find pics of what he sold it to me as anywhere... I read up lots about it, but i was reading up on the wrong thing!

Weve had ours for about 6 months.
The same thing happened, but i moved mine around quiet a bit.
Try moving it somewhere else, as ours is back out to almost its original size, after a week in a new location.

[cypher]

i was told it would harm other corals and such if put in reach. it this true. what is it actually called??? i thought it was a flower pot ginopora. yes/no?

any ideas on the worm??????????

here is what it used to look like!!

[icebear]

i don't know what that worm is, but i'd certainly be eyeing it with suspicion and extreme prejudice

[Awestralian]

If the worm worries you that much pull it off with some twezers or similiar.

Mine has never harmed any of my other corals, its touched my leather, and has been touched by my one of my anenomes. Needless to say it shrank away from the anenome, but the leather was not bothered by it at all.
I have touched it and it doesnt feel sticky or slimy like an anenome or other poisonous type of coral.

I think you are right about the name.
Ill look into it further.
I know its not called what the lfs told me...

[tangcrazy]

I have had mine for about 5 months, make sure you give it plenty of room , It likes really clean water, as mine always comes out fuller after a water change, it likes a lot of light, mine does not like to be moved which just shows they are different in every tank. Mine is midway up in the tank, and is growing like crazy, I have already fragged it twice. I am sure you have already done this but check your calcium levels, mine seems to like the calcium on the bottom side not the high side. just some thoughts good luck I hope you don't lose this beautiful coral.