How to keep a goni alive?

[salmonshutters]

I have seen quite a few nice goni's come out recently, does anyone know how to successfully keep one alive? How long have you had it? What does your system consist of? Just looking for some more ideas. I have heard they do well in tanks without skimmers aka in "dirty water".

 

[calvo15290]

IV had mine for 6 months at least I feed with allot of amino acids

 

[HiddenUser]

I have a skimmer in my tank and my Goni is happy. I've had it for about 8 months??

I keep it in an area of low - moderate flow...towards the bottom of the tank...I soak Mysis and other frozen food in water, after I'm done feeding my fish...I take the leftover water / food mixture and spray it around my Goni.

I also have a little thing of Reef Roids which my Goni seems to enjoy. I just turn off all the flow so that it has a chance to eat.

 

[salmonshutters]

Great tips keep them coming.

 

[Tab28]

I have several goniopora. My oldest being about 5-6 years. It is a red with blue tips. Almost lost it several times. Even bleached out, but always came back. Second oldest is a rainbow it is maybe 3-4 years old. I had problems is the early years but learned and now no issues. As for skimmer dirty water. Not true i have a good skimmer. Empty 2 times a week, filter sock, baffles sponges and gfo. I keep my nitrates between 5-10. My tracy do not like them any higher. I feed mine 2x a week with a mixture of powers soaked in amino acids.

 

[MikeTR]

that rainbow.. oh my sweet cheebus..

 

[digitaledge]

Ive had mine close to a year. I use Reef Complete and sometimes feed with ReefRoids.
I have the Goni in the center of the tank with med flow. Always happy!! Using skimmer
Cadlights PL-50, 24/7 carbon reactor and Kessel 350w 25 gal cube.



[video=youtube;RfB8gNKRkTY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfB8gNKRkTY[/video]

 

[impur]

I've had one for about 8-10 months now, its encrusted about 1/2" in that time. I placed mine on a rock close to the bottom of the tank and it gets med flow. I feed Reef Roids once a week and frozen cyclopeeze once a week in addition to the frozen foods I feed my fish. Those foods are also soaked in Vitamarin-M a couple times a week, and I dose Acro Power aminos. It seems really happy though mine has not extended its polyps longer than 2" or 3".

 

[erk]

that rainbow.. oh my sweet cheebus..

I agree! So freakin awesome. I feel like a leprechaun is waiting on the otherside with a pot of gold.

 

[ecordova14]

I leave it alone in less than perfect water and its huge.

 

[Squishie89]

I use GonioPower about 3-5 days a week. I really think it helps.

 

[TruRacr314x]

I've had mine for about 8-9 months maybe. I was a little worried...but the thing has done great. I feed 2-3x a week broadcasting the tank with a mix of Acropower, Reef Roids, Coral Smoothie and Reef Chilli. I also feed my fish with some Cyclopeeze mixed in at random times. In the middle of the day, the polyps extend maybe 5-6"! It's definitely one of my favs...

 

[9balliw]

I have had the purple one for a year and a half and the rest 6+ months and don't do to much special

 

[shred5]

Goniopora really got a bad name because back in the earlier days of reef keeping the main goniopora that was imported was goniopora stokes which is the green goniopora.. These are still almost impossible to keep.. I recommend avoiding these..

The problem with keeping goniopora is they usually live about a year and a half years. I believe it is due to slow starvation. They can get partial nutrition for zooxanthallae and whatever else they can grab on occasion..

The key to keeping most goni alive is finding the proper food. I have kept several alive for years.. Each goiniopora is different at what they eat though. The favorite always seemed to be oyster eggs.. But I fed allot of different fine foods and just target feed them. Not all showed feeding responses. Those I believe feed mainly on bacteria.. I tried raising the bacteria levels to help maintain them. Probably would do well in a zeovit system.. Most would do good in a Nps tank with proper lighting…
As far as placement most seem like medium light and current.

Red and encrusting type of goniopora seem to be the easiest to keep.. The red ORA goniopora really is not too hard to keep and seems to even do well with very little feeding. No goniopora is a beginners coral.. Success in keeping gonis alive is not measured in months its years.. Don’t think you’re out of the woods if it is less than 2 years old.

I myself only keep a few gonis now because they just require too much time... Also because most put too much strain and the filtration system with the amount of food some require.

 

[Tab28]

A number of good points have been made. A year does not mean it is able to thrive. It just may be getting enough to survive. But will slowly start to regress its flesh. They are filter feeders. If the water column does not hold enough food it will not thrive. Good powder or liquid foods are needed. My early years i had one that looked great when open. But when it would close you could see the dead areas, which after months became more and more. I also think the greens are less hardy. I have a metallic green. It is maybe 3 years old. It is an encrusting type. I think that is also important.