Long central polyp on Goniopora

[voelter76]

This guy seems quite happy. Poofs out quite nicely every day. Just wondering about the significance (if any) of the much longer central polyp? I remember 25 year’s ago when they would just slowly die. Not this one. Gets bigger every week. Any thoughts?

 

[i cant think]

This guy seems quite happy. Poofs out quite nicely every day. Just wondering about the significance (if any) of the much longer central polyp? I remember 25 year’s ago when they would just slowly die. Not this one. Gets bigger every week. Any thoughts?

Longer polyps tend to be sweepers especially if it’s the same species.

I have one goni with much longer polyps than my others but I believe it’s because it is a G. stokesi rather than my main collection being G. tenuidens.

 

[encrustingacro]

Longer polyps tend to be sweepers especially if it’s the same species.

I have one goni with much longer polyps than my others but I believe it’s because it is a G. stokesi rather than my main collection being G. tenuidens.

May I ask, how do you know which species your Gonis are? Most Goniopora species aren't really identifiable without skeletal examination, with in-situ identifying features being poorly studied. The species boundaries are also pretty poorly-defined.

 

[i cant think]

May I ask, how do you know which species your Gonis are? Most Goniopora species aren't really identifiable without skeletal examination, with in-situ identifying features being poorly studied. The species boundaries are also pretty poorly-defined.

Ive found a lot of it is looking at the very very tip of the polyps as well as watching the polyp extension (this is where you sweepers can be annoying).

I’ve only managed to figure Tenuidens, Columna and Stokesi whichever the most common species.

I’ll get photos of my main colony which has Tenuidens and Stokesi on, then also a photo of what I believe to be my Columna colony.

 

[VintageReefer]

I think this is columna

 

[encrustingacro]

Ive found a lot of it is looking at the very very tip of the polyps as well as watching the polyp extension (this is where you sweepers can be annoying).

I’ve only managed to figure Tenuidens, Columna and Stokesi whichever the most common species.

I’ll get photos of my main colony which has Tenuidens and Stokesi on, then also a photo of what I believe to be my Columna colony.

May I ask where you learned or what references you used for your ID techniques?

 

[i cant think]

May I ask where you learned or what references you used for your ID techniques?

If I’m honest, I can’t remember exactly where. I think it was corals of the world but I’m not 100% certain.

 

[voelter76]

May I ask, how do you know which species your Gonis are? Most Goniopora species aren't really identifiable without skeletal examination, with in-situ identifying features being poorly studied. The species boundaries are also pretty poorly-defined.

I certainly can’t identify them at this point. Still much to learn!

 

[ChiCity]

I certainly can’t identify them at this point. Still much to learn!

as @i cant think mentioned…
it’s more of a learned skill.
after having kept many gonis you learn to spot differences.

those sweepers can actually wipe out gonis that aren’t the same species..
i learned that the hard way!
so now it’s a bit easier to group them accordingly,
well, the best i can without skeleton id once they’re fully open and it’s easier to spot the subtle differences… mainly their tentacles.