LPS Spotlight: Goniopora

revhtree · Aug 14, 2012

These corals have always been beautiful and as a new hobbyists they are very attractive because of their structure, color, and price. But there is a reason why most of these beauties are priced so affordable. It is because they have a very short life span in the home aquarium. Well at least they used too?

Everyone knows that Goniopora are impossible to keep. They always die after a year or so. That's the word on the street--but it's not the whole truth. In fact, there have been dozens of reported successes. What has allowed a few aquarists to successfully grow Goniopora?

Over the years, we have "cracked the code" on many kinds of corals and other marine organisms. Many can remember when Acropora were considered impossible to grow in captivity. Today, there are numerous captive-grown strains firmly established in the hobby.

Goniopora is just the latest group of corals with the "keep away" label--but I have no doubt it will soon be put on the "been there, done that" list. I feel we are already on the way to establishing domesticated strains of Goniopora as we have with so many coral and other reef aquarium invertebrates. Captive-grown coral grow faster and are hardier than wild-collected colonies. Not only has the coral itself adapted to captivity but the bacteria, zooaxanthellae, and other symbiotic organisms also have adapted. Read More

How many of you have kept one long term and could you please share some tips with us?

revhtree · Aug 14, 2012

Anybody keeping one successfully?

EpicWin · Aug 14, 2012

The green ones are very difficult. The red ones are pretty easy

cheetofingers · Aug 14, 2012

What makes them so difficult? Ive never had one, so I dont know... but is it a lighting thing, food, trace elements...?

Trijer · Aug 14, 2012

Please everyone spill the info, I just got one and want to keep it alive and beautiful, so please tell me how

Wesley42079 · Aug 14, 2012

Iurchased a green one many years ago and I couldn't keep it alive at all.

I have been seeing alot of the redish/pink goniopora at my lfs. Next time I pass by, I'll try and get one.

Dixie_reefer · Aug 15, 2012

I have a small one. I have had it for about a month and seems to be doing well. I have it in medium/high flow area on the top of my rocks. I feed it every other day a mixture of cyclop-eeze and PhotoChrom. I am hoping I'm doing something right and it will live for a while.

I will try to get a better picture tomorrow. The lfs had it listed as a strawberry shortcake goni

paulyancick · Aug 15, 2012

One of my very first coral purchases a year ago.Not only is it thriving it has also budded little ones that I gave to other people.Mine seems to like very strong light and moderate current.Thought my lovesick tomato clown was going to destroy it,but no problems so far.Beginners luck?

cjrudy · Aug 15, 2012

I have had one for a year and a half, its doing ok but has never thrived, although I believe I have actually found a place where its happy, right light and flow.

Dowtish · Aug 15, 2012

cjrudy said:
I have had one for a year and a half, its doing ok but has never thrived, although I believe I have actually found a place where its happy, right light and flow.

I have an alvapora sp. that is very similar, and have had it the same amount of time. It got worse before it got better. It seems okay, but has never grown.

Typed from my phone, because I have nothing better to do.

CoralFragZ · Aug 15, 2012

I think they like dirty water. I managed to get a frag from a friend that has had one for over 4 years and I have had it a little over a year in SPS conditions. I have had a Green one last up to about a year and burned out over the course of a month. This frag is whiteish cream and is always open and happy.