Gonipora

[Hickoryhil]

Hi, this is my first post... I was hoping to gain some knowledge on what is going on with my Gonipora. I've had it for about 9 months. It's a green long tentacle one (the common variety). One side looks great while the other side is turning a bit reddish. It's been questionably getting worse for the past 2 weeks (getting redder in color) and not fully extending the one side of it's tentacles. I'm not sure if this is a typical sign of starvation, disease, too much light/not enough light, etc. I can't find a picture on the web anywhere to compare what could possible be happening with mine. Nothing has changed in the tank - lighting, flow, position and my water parameters are fine. Every other coral in the tank is healthy and happy as far as I can see so it leads me to believe the gonipora is unhappy with something. Can someone help shed some light on what could be happening? Thank you very much, Hilary

 

[Chubosco]

I am surprised that you have had it this long. Wish I could help but I lost two and was told not to buy them because you can't keep them alive. I am sure someone here will give you and myself the lowdown on these guys.

Also welcome to the board!

 

[Anonymous]

Hickoryhil,

One of those corals that should be left in the ocean.
Please, PLEASE research your animals thoroughly before purchase.

http://www.goniopora.org/

 

[Chubosco]

Excellent site!

 

[Hickoryhil]

I'm headed to an advanced aquarist's home tomorrow to discuss the possible treatment and to learn about many other corals and different techniques to keep them alive & thriving (I hope). Thank you to all who have posted a reply. If I find some valuable information tomorrow on this species, I'll be sure to post it for all to see. I'm excited to be in contact with all of you marine fanatics! Very cool of everyone to offer their support! Thanks again!

 

[scifi_3d_zoo]

There's a lot of people that have those. A LFS down the road from me has one. They say they just dip it in iodine solution? weekly. I thought there was a good article on them and elegence corals at ReefKeeping.com last year. Search there too.

 

[Hickoryhil]

That's a decent remedy if it works but I have my doubts - I'm currently target feeding it once a day, (mysid, brine, & cyclops), and it may just be my hopes but it doesn't seem as red on the one side. I took my trip to the coral guy for some advice and he said to stay away from Gonipora (too late) - no one can keep them alive for over a year or two. That doesn't help this little coral though and I want to be active in finding a remedy and keep it alive and hopefully thriving once more. If I give up and take it back to the store, someone else is sure to buy it and kill it. I think it has a better chance in my tank and I'll try anything. For now, I'm going to continue the routine: Target feed, Put a CAP on it, (it's literally a plastic cap), for a 1/2 hour so the crabs and fish don't pick all the food out of it's tentacles and polyps. I've noticed that the critters are way too excited for feeding time when I drop the food on the gonipora. It's like they flock to it. I think it's being robbed of nutrients so I will continue my nurturing and see what happens. Thanks for the advice - it'll be something else to try if this routine doesn't work!