Goniopora is dying

[Str8linespeed]

As said in the title its slowing dying/shrinking. Ive had it for 2 months and it started off happy, but now it doesnt open at all. What was alive around the edges are now brown and dead, and its slowly getting smaller. Im wondering if this could cause my nitrates to increase or any other problems to my tank? Should I just take it out and toss it now or wait until its fully dead?

 

[tc2007]

were you feeding anything?

 

[Str8linespeed]

Not sure what you mean?

 

[Str8linespeed]

I just went and researched more and I had no idea that you had to feed this coral. The LFS didnt mention anything when I bought it. I just fed it some plankton juice and it retracted and swelled up like it had a full belly. Its not an easy coral to feed like my Duncan, but I hope that was a good sign.

 

[tc2007]

Reef Roids is a food engineered for this coral. Try that. Find a distributer LFS in your area and they should have a small sample for you. It will last a week or so.

 

[Str8linespeed]

Thank you for that suggestion. I'm making my rounds to the LFS's this weekend so I'll ask about it.

One question though and I could not find any info, but how often are you suppose to feed them??? 1-2 times a week or ???

 

[albano]

IMO/E, goniopora is usually a short lived coral, unless you get aquacultured.

 

[tc2007]

Thank you for that suggestion. I'm making my rounds to the LFS's this weekend so I'll ask about it.

One question though and I could not find any info, but how often are you suppose to feed them??? 1-2 times a week or ???

I don't have any Goniopora so not sure. My LFS told me about 2-3 times a week when he handed me the free sample. I feed it to my Acans and they gladly take it.

 

[Str8linespeed]

IMO/E, goniopora is usually a short lived coral, unless you get aquacultured.

I've read that as well. I could not tell you if mine is AC or not.

I don't have any so not sure. My LFS told me about 2-3 times a week when he handed me the free sample. I feed it to my Acans and they gladly take it.

Im just going to go with the same schedule my others are on and try that... Perhaps I can revive it and it comes back even better. I feel so dumb not knowing I was supposed to feed it.

 

[albano]

I've read that as well. I could not tell you if mine is AC or not.

If you bought it at a LFS, they would know if it was AC...so it sounds like it was wild caught

 

[tc2007]

Im just going to go with the same schedule my others are on and try that... Perhaps I can revive it and it comes back even better. I feel so dumb not knowing I was supposed to feed it.

Some of us have done worse here

 

[mcgyvr]

green = very hard to keep alive for long.. (goniopora stokesi).. This is also usually the most common sadly..
red/pink = easier but still a tough coral..

gonioporas should be left to the "advanced" reefkeepers.. It is NOT a newbie coral at all..
Some have found that feeding can help.. Others do just fine without feeding at all..

Hope it works out for you... But....

 

[homer1475]

I've had a green goni (goniopora stoeski)for about 2 years now and have never fed it(It does probably get food in the water column from feeding my NPS corals and broadcast feeding my acans). It's tripled in size and drops babies quite frequently.

Just read an article on advanced aquarist that says feeding them is a controversial topic, and most species in the genus probably don't need any more food then they get from their zooxanthellae.

 

[OldReefGuy]

Homer...I think you are one of a few people who have had luck with them.
I've never been able to keep any alive past 6 months...gave up on them

 

[xCry0x]

I think it must just be hit or miss, I have had mine for at least 4 years and it has easily been one of the more resilient corals I have had.

Just snapped a picture -- not the best since it moves a lot making it hard to get my phone to focus on anything =)

Bought it as a relatively small frag at lfs, it has fully encrusted over the small rock I put it on - which is largely the reason it's growth has stopped.

No particularly skilled husbandry.. tank had nutrient problems to the point that my SPS were all dying with algae growing on them. New tank just tested at sub 0.5 nitrate on salifert test and 0.03 phosphate w/ hanna checker -- coral looks happy as can be. Almost always has polyps extended, usually a couple of sweepers out killing any coral near it. It is in isolation in the corner of my tank under my powerhead.

Should add - I never consistently spot fed corals. I am being a bit more diligent about broadcast feeding the tank reef roids now since the new tank is pretty low nutrient. Spot feeding for the goni never seemed to be worth it - it doesn't ever seem to grab onto food like other LPS do (Acans, etc) - much more of a filter feeder it seems.

 

[OldReefGuy]

xCry....Nice.
I just gave up on them....

 

[Str8linespeed]

Yes, sadly mine is green. I dont think its going to make it as it stays closed almost all of the time. When we bought it the person selling it to us, knew nothing about corals. It wasnt until we got home and realized what it was, and what some of the sites said about it being a difficult coral to keep.

Since it appears to be dying, would it be best to take it out now?