Alveo/Goniopora

[wharyat]

Alveopora sp. 12 tentacles per polyp	Goniopora sp. 24 tentacles per polyp

Both in the Poritidae family.



Commonly known as "flowerpot corals." Anyone have these?

These are another one of the hard to keep coral, generally not lasting over six months to a year, any thoughts as to why?

[tims]

i did have a wonderful looking flower pot.lasted about 9 months before everyhead recessed, nemo loved it to death, the heads could not get out to feed..

not the greatest picture.. but this was a while back, i will have to see if i have others...

[Twitterbait]

One thing i have considered is the amount of water that some of these corals have to absorb to puff up and out. could it be that when your water has even the smallest problems, the corals that have to suck more of it up are also the corals that are going to be more at risk?

[tims]

Ryan,
i am not sure i understand what you mean?

[sb1227]

I have had this one for over a year. I took this pic when I first got it, but it's about 3 times this size now. (Guess I need to take a new one)
Most Goniporas didn't last long mainly because they just starved over time. We really didn't know what they required. Now there is enough access to information there's at least a better chance for survival. If you think you might want to try one, your best bet is to find out as much as you can about keeping them. They tend to like a nutrient rich system and target feeding a couple of times a week, the size of the food depends on the type. This is also true of the chance for survival. Some species do better than others. Here's a link with some great information:

http://www.goniopora.org/

[wharyat]

Great link, sb.

Any other theories on why these guys don't survive, even when following the lagoonal biotope?

[Twitterbait]

Have you seen any differences in the branching varieties?

In regards to my last comment... for these corals to extend their tentacles out they must absorb water to expand. because of the water they are taking in they are putting themselves at much greater risk of absorbing something bad...

[sb1227]

I think water quality issues will affect any coral. I don't think it much defferent between ones that "swell" or not. (That's part of how I define the LPS category) Forgive me if soft corals do this, I know very little about them.

It seems the "larger" mouthed Goniopora are able to capture larger food, even though the Stoksei although similar in size actually has a smaller mouth. The one I have (not sure of the sp.) has a tiny mouth, only able to use oyster eggs, golden pearls etc. I think and hope that the availability of these foods is going to greatly help the keeping of these animals in captivity.

The branching ones are kind of odd looking, I havent ever seen one. Would like too, though.

[sb1227]

Finally got a pic of the Goni this week. I just love this coral. It doesn't seem to mind swimming in a sea of Xenia.

[tims]

very good picture!
you should put that in the 2007 cal. thread in the photo area!

[jamielind]

i have one that was doing great until a few weeks ago. it was bleaching out and looking terrible. finally figured out the sun changed angles and was hitting it for about an hour a day. blpcked the light and it looks 100% better. they really dont like even little changes in lighting.

[gwen_o_lyn]

Goni podcast:
http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/showthread.php?t=693

[Loverotties]

Great link and pics!

[stacerbean]

I continue to hear how hard Goni's are to take care of. But I'd be willing to take a change on a alveopora. Any one have any experience/sucess with alveos?

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by stacerbean

I continue to hear how hard Goni's are to take care of. But I'd be willing to take a change on a alveopora. Any one have any experience/sucess with alveos?

I had one for over a year and it was happy and healthy it seemed. Here is the last pic i had of him. His skeleton was only a couple inches.

I neglected him in a crowded mixed tank and i unintentionally allowed some evil GSP to suffocate and kill him.




that was about the time i decided gsp is a weed and needs erradicated like aiptasia...even MORE so than aiptasia.