Goniopora (?!)

[Joe del Rey]

Okay, I'll be honest, this is my first time having a Goniopora. I got this 5 days ago and everything seemed to work well... until I noticed something. (I'll ask a few questions later on).

1) This morning (around 7:30 in the morning), when I turned the light back on, I noticed my Goniopora is "ejecting" some cloudy-white substance from the encircled part of the image attached. What is it? Is my coral okay?

2) I am aware this is a Goniopora, but what specie exactly? I am quite confused doing a research because they almost looked identical (the closest one being G.stokesi).

3) Is it me or my coral is just fading colors? Any recommendations to bounce it back?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Biocube32]

Might be zooanthelle bailing? Maybe an expert can chime in

 

[Joe del Rey]

Here's closer look on my Goniopora.

 

[Joe del Rey]

Might be zooanthelle bailing? Maybe an expert can chime in

I'll wait patiently, hoping someone may help

 

[SPR1968]

Hi Joe and welcome to R2R!

Someone should be along shortly who can help you out, I’m not sure myself but the coral looks healthy enough from the pictures

#reefsquad

 

[Joe del Rey]

Hi Joe and welcome to R2R!

Someone should be along shortly who can help you out, I’m not sure myself but the coral looks healthy enough from the pictures

#reefaquad

Thank you for responding
I'm quite at ease now knowing it's healthy (from your perspective). I'll still wait until someone answers all my questions

 

[albano]

How long has your tank been running? Looks new from pic.

 

[Joe del Rey]

How long has your tank been running? Looks new from pic.

Almost a month and a half already...
I initially set up this tank on March 15, 2019

 

[albano]

Tank is probably not ready yet for corals, especially one like Goniopora that has a very poor survival rate. It can seem to be ok for awhile, but then go down hill quickly.

 

[Joe del Rey]

Tank is probably not ready yet for corals, especially one like Goniopora that has a very poor survival rate. It can seem to be ok for awhile, but then go down hill quickly.

I see (OMG I'm in a little panic RN) What should I do with it then? And how long should I wait till I actually add some more corals?

 

[albano]

Well, if you can’t return it, do you know anyone with an older tank that might try holding it for you?
Did a LFS tell you that this would be a good first coral?
IMO Goniopora is a very hard coral even for an experienced reefer with a mature tank. If someone HAD to try it, I’d only recommend an aquacultured frag (red/pink), not a ‘wild’ caught piece.

 

[Joe del Rey]

Well, if you can’t return it, do you know anyone with an older tank that might try holding it for you?
Did a LFS tell you that this would be a good first coral?
IMO Goniopora is a very hard coral even for an experienced reefer with a mature tank. If someone HAD to try it, I’d only recommend an aquacultured frag (red/pink), not a ‘wild’ caught piece.

A friend of mine actually gave it to me because he had tons of corals. I'll give it back to him for the mean time. Thank you for the advice

 

[albano]

Perfect! Win-Win, for you and the coral!

 

[Joe del Rey]

Perfect! Win-Win, for you and the coral!

YAY!
Uhm... so how long should I wait to add corals? I already have a Yellowtail Damsel in the tank which is perfectly healthy and fine.

 

[albano]

After almost 50 yrs in the hobby, and speaking with thousands of other hobbyists on line and at swaps and LFSs, I can tell you that every newby, that has kept a damsel alive for a week, is thinking that his next fish will be a Moorish Idol! (Ok, maybe a little exaggerated)... but every tank is different, so you just have to watch your own tank. It’s good that you have a friend in the hobby, hopefully he can take a look at your tank and offer advice, and maybe a frag of an ‘easy’ coral for a new tank.

 

[Joe del Rey]

After almost 50 yrs in the hobby, and speaking with thousands of other hobbyists on line and at swaps and LFSs, I can tell you that every newby, that has kept a damsel alive for a week, is thinking that his next fish will be a Moorish Idol! (Ok, maybe a little exaggerated)... but every tank is different, so you just have to watch your own tank. It’s good that you have a friend in the hobby, hopefully he can take a look at your tank and offer advice, and maybe a frag of an ‘easy’ coral for a new tank.

HAHAHA I'm thinking of having a pair False Percula Clowns as next fish.[emoji23] I heard they are hardy and good for beginners.

Okay, I might be too late to say this but can I ask you a few more questions? (You seem to have more experience than my friend here so I'll rely the majority of information from you)

1) I've read over the web that different Goniopora types have different requirements. Based from the image, what type of goinio is mine? (..or is it actually an Alveopora? I am really confused because they almost look identical.)

2)Any recommendations which reef safe fish/es should I get? (I have a 20 gallon tank BTW)