gonipora growth

[jadeguppy]

I'm having trouble finding how they grow. Do they need a rock or will they build their own. The reason I ask is the few I have appear to be fully covering the rock they have been on. However, they appear to be getting fuller and I want to give them room to grow. Any advise on what is needed to help they grow and if they tend to expand horizontally or vertically is greatly appreciated.

 

[J. Montgomery]

They make their own skeleton (what you're referring to as a rock). To keep 'em growing make sure they have clean water, enough light, and keep your calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium levels in check.

 

[kindafun]

They are strange creatures, I think the coolest thing I've got in my tank. Though mine hasn't done this yet, they propagate by dropping a small ball off the colony.

 

[jadeguppy]

Cool. I got one from a lfs. The guy is actually honest and told me up front that they only live for 3-6 months in most tanks. I thanked him for being honest and said that I have had good luck keeping them alive. The new one is a green color. However, under my light it looks more red, but the new lights should be here soon. As they expand, do they need a large base or is sand fine? Thanks for the help guys!

 

[kindafun]

I have kept mine on the sand in an area that it can expand fully. It's also in an area where water moves past bringing it food.

 

[kindafun]

Here is a nice site for reference information.

Link

 

[jadeguppy]

Thanks. I try to dose my tank with reefbugs twice a week min. to keep zoaplanton numbers up. I have also mix it with dried cyclopeeze, shrimp, and sea scallop in a blender and fed to them and my other lps. This drives my skimmer into overdrive. Nastly looking, but the corals and fish seem to love it. What are you guys feeding, if anything. Two that I recently received came from a tank where I am told they never received feedings.