Flowerpot questions....

[tangboy]

Picked one up while I am up here in VA yesterday for about $30. It's a colony the size of a softball (skeletal base) and was fully extended under the stores PCs. I hear they are difficult to keep but was wondering peoples experiences with them. Horror stories? Tips of the trade? Anything else!?

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[tommy patton]

I had a really nice one before I knew any better. It did really well for about six months then slowly just receeded. Im sure someone will find a way to keep them alive, but I dont know how

 

[tangboy]

that seems to be the case online, everyone can keep them awhile then they just fade... worries me just a little...

 

[tetra-tag]

No personal experience, but I have read that they need to be fed appropriately to do well.

http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/resources.asp?show=353

 

[Fishboy42]

I think heavy feedings with these corals has helped some to keep them long-term. I kept one for about 8 months (about 9 years ago, it was given to me by a store that received it "accidentally"). Toward the end it had tissue recession.

Justin Credabel has a nice article about these corals that might be helpful:
Advanced Aquarist Article

He also has an entertaining video on YouTube about them:
Goniopora

My experience is limited mostly to the terra-cotta strains, but they are pretty tolerant of most lighting and flow conditions:

 

[jettster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13855330#post13855330 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fishboy42
I think heavy feedings with these corals has helped some to keep them long-term. I kept one for about 8 months (about 9 years ago, it was given to me by a store that received it "accidentally"). Toward the end it had tissue recession.

Justin Credabel has a nice article about these corals that might be helpful:
Advanced Aquarist Article

He also has an entertaining video on YouTube about them:
Goniopora

My experience is limited mostly to the terra-cotta strains, but they are pretty tolerant of most lighting and flow conditions:

good one Matt but I am ashamed it took 30 seconds to sink in

 

[cee]

Depends. Some of the encrusting varieties I've heard people have success with. I kept a massive growth form alive in Dallas for two years before I moved and had it reproduce on me asexually, but I think you'll find that is quite the exception on these guys and was before I realized what an abysmal survival rate these have in captivity. If it helps, mine was under 175 W 10k MH in low-moderate flow and nutrient-rich water. Good luck with it.

 

[ct_vol]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13855718#post13855718 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jettster
good one Matt but I am ashamed it took 30 seconds to sink in

Took me over night to get it... lol :lol: I was wondering why Matt posted pics of clownfish... I figured it had something to do with the links, but was too lazy to click on them...

 

[EvilMel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13857831#post13857831 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ct_vol
Took me over night to get it... lol :lol: I was wondering why Matt posted pics of clownfish... I figured it had something to do with the links, but was too lazy to click on them...

hah hah...FOR ONCE I actually got the joke pretty quickly. It took me about 5 seconds. I looked at the algae for a sec before it dawned on me. hah hah.

Lazy link clicker.

 

[ERIKATHORNBURG]

I saw a flowerpot coral on BlueZoo and thought it was really pretty....had no idea that they were hard to keep.

 

[tangboy]

Thanks for the input and good sense of humor... looks like Matt has the best success with flower pot coral though!

 

[macclellan]

I got the joke right away, but mostly because I had no idea WTH a flowerpot coral was.