Common Corals to avoid.

[Turf]

Hey, as long as the elegance issue is brought up I think it would be nice if we got some input on common 'sucker' corals as there is a sucker born every minute when buying corals (we are all included). What are the common ones to avoid due to virtual certain death of the coral.

 

[saltyunderground]

Difficult to keep: Gonipora (flower pot coral)

 

[ksteiny]

Carpet anemones, non-photosynthetic Gorgonians, Carnation corals(Dendronepthia and Scleronepthia), Stylaster and anything that is dying or looks unhealthy that you think you can save.

 

[scubabill]

Ive had my flower pot for over two years . Clowns host it and lay eggs on it . Still going strong

 

[Turf]

Note. these are ones that typically are hard to keep but not to say it isn't successfully done - just not consistently.

 

[ksteiny]

Just for Saltyunderground

Just for Saltyunderground

6-8 month old 2nd generation Gonipora stokesi buds.

 

[saltyunderground]

We had a gonipora for over 4 years. There are exceptions to every rule in reef keeping. But as a rule, gonipora are hard to keep, especially for people who are newer to the hobby. This is an accurate statement.

Let's help Turf out by answering his question on this thread.

 

[Letmegrow]

"Chili corals"

The Anemones that fall out of this realm,
Long Tentacle, Bubble Tip, Condylactus.

 

[Letmegrow]

It is hard to get a healthy - not predoomed Goni, but they are hardy if the proper conditions are met.

When peoples tanks are "ready" for them and the coral is not critically damaged, they thrive like Kevins shows.

They do belong on the list as to know which one to buy and when to buy it.

 

[saltyunderground]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6832263#post6832263 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Letmegrow
"Chili corals"

Steve, what is a chili coral?

 

[Letmegrow]

Not a coral actually but a sponge.

 

[ksteiny]

As a rule Gonipora lobata (the mot commonly imported "flower pot coral") is nearly impossible to keep. IMO G. stokesi as well as many branching species, and many Alvepora sp.are pretty easy to keep given the correct enviornments. Easier than many sps type corals. G. lobata and G. stokesi can be very difficult to tell apart. So can Acropora species for that matter. If you don't know what you are buying, cant tell what a healthy specimen looks like, and can't trust who you are buying it from well then you are definately taking your chances with any coral!!! Thats an accurate statement. Maybe someday we will have a LFS around St. Louis that isn't trying to make a quick buck and that you can trust when they tell you that a coral is easy to keep. Maybe around around march 1st would be nice.