Goniopora Coral
The delicate Goniopora coral are often considered one of the harder corals to maintain in a marine aquarium, and are not recommended for beginners. The color most often seen in Goniopora coral is green, although Goniopora does come in more colorful variations such as pink and purple. Goniopora are typically rounded or oblong colonies with polyps that have 24 tentacles.
Caring For Goniopora Coral
According to hobby experts, caring for Goniopora coral in a controlled marine aquarium environment is as much luck as it is skill. More colorful short tentacled specimens of this species, such as the pink and purple, tend to be more hardy than the common greenish brown versions with long tentacles. It's important to research the care of the specific Goniopora that exists in your tank.
Goniopora Coral Appearance
Colonies of Goniopora coral are usually branching, columnar or massive, but may be encrusting. Polyps are usually long and flashy and tentacles are normally extended day and night. Corallites have thick but porous walls and calices are filled with compacted septa and columellae. Goniopora coral polyps have 24 tentacles, and different species usually have polyps of different shapes and colors.
Feeding Goniopora Coral
It is well known in the coral hobby community that feeding Goniopora coral is more of a trial and error adventure. While some choose to not feed their Goniopora at all (relying on photosynthesis), others have achieved success in feeding phytoplankton and other small particle commercial foods. Goniopora coral are traditionally difficult to feed in an aquarium setting, and much time may be needed to determine the best feeding processes.
Tank Lighting For Goniopora Coral
One of the most important aspects of keeping Goniopora coral in a tank situation is the availability of lighting. Even turning the lights out for 24 hours can have an adverse affect on this type of coral. Goniopora will retreat fully into their skeleton and often die if not lighted properly.
Overall Goniopora Coral Experience
In general, care and propagation of Goniopora coral should be left to the more experienced reef keepers. They are traditionally difficult to feed and properly keep in an aquarium setting, although there are many success stories as more people gain knowledge about keeping Goniopora. Many hobbyists have reported trouble keeping Goniopora coral alive more and one year at a time in a tank.
|
