My goniopora is walking. I swear.

[digitaljepoy]

Has anybody else experienced this? I have a 2 weeks old goniopora, and its doing really well despite the fact that my tank is only 2 months old, but all parameters are in checked.. though im still trying to fight off Nitrates which is doing fairly well so far.

Anyway, my goniopora is in the mid section of the tank. I have put it away from the edge of the rock where it sits. After about 3 days or so, I noticed that it went almost on the edge, but I try not to bother it but at the same time I was pretty amazed. And then I realized that it was trying to find some flow which it successfully did and loves it. but a few hours ago, when I got home, it went too far and fell off the rock. Now im not sure if I should put it back, or should I just put it on the sand.

 

[Tweaked]

It can use its polyps as a wind sail per say. That and the CUC moving it are the usual suspects IMO.

 

[digitaljepoy]

I only have one Turbo Snail and its far from the area of my goniopora. the size of its stone is almost the size of my palm.

 

[Webmanny]

Well... This is new. If you really have a Goni, I have never heard of them walking. I have 3 of them in different parts of my tank and they have never moved. I agree with Tweaked. Something else is moving it. Maybe flow or maybe some member of the CUC, but they do not move on their own TMK.

 

[Moort82]

I've seen this a few times. For me it has always been G. stokes. I think it happens where they have polyps that go all the way under the skeleton bottom and they swell and either move like a sail in the current, or expand and contract to move in the same ay fungia do.
You can also get goni's which are a perfect ball and they will role around. Think this is what ORA culture (at least the mother colonies would role) as their red goni's.

 

[Sir JRAD]

First time hearing of a goni moving... weird.

 

[zachfishman]

I wouldn't be surprised. Goniopora often inhabit lagoons where sedimentation can be significant. Being able to move a little, especially since they grow in that detached ball-like growth form, could help a lot of little Gonis survive burial.

Fungiid corals can really move!