Bernardpora Garden

[PointerReefs]

Hello!

So I’ve been digging around trying to find info on this subject, as I started getting into Goniopora and ended up with a couple frags labeled as Goni’s but I’ve determined to be Bernardpora.. I know they are aggressive towards Goniopora and Alveopora but can I keep Bernardpora with other Bernardpora like I would with my Gonioporas? Trying to figure out where I want them. If I can bunch them together on a small island I’d like to do that but unsure if they will sting each other or just of another species. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[DSC reef]

I don't have experience with bernardpora personally in my tanks but they're beautiful but definitely aggressive. For me the decision would be would I'd rather have them or the goniopora. The bernardpora is encrusting I believe and I prefer the longer flowing tentacles of goniopora. With the many types of encrusting corals I kept I think the flowing tentacles of goniopora look better and give great movement in the tank. Im not sure if keeping a bernardpora garden that they would battle or not, only one way to find out. Lol. Thats one of many beautiful things about reefing, trying new things. Please post pictures if you decide to give a bernardpora garden a try

 

[PointerReefs]

Yeah I have 2 frags of Bernardpora, I like all of the flowerpots personally. I’ll send it and see how it goes.

 

[DSC reef]

Yeah I have 2 frags of Bernardpora, I like all of the flowerpots personally. I’ll send it and see how it goes.

Sounds like a plan. Looking forward to seeing the progress.

 

[thamnasteroid]

Your frags are likely not Bernardpora but Goniopora minor; the hobby's concept of Bernardpora comes from a misidentification by Reef Builders and Jake Adams.

true Bernardpora look like this:
Bernardpora stutchburyi | New Caledonia | Credit: Damien Brouste

Bernardpora stutchburyi | Lombok, Indonesia | Credit : Febrianne Sukiato

 

[PointerReefs]

Your frags are likely not Bernardpora but Goniopora minor; the hobby's concept of Bernardpora comes from a misidentification by Reef Builders and Jake Adams.

true Bernardpora look like this:
Bernardpora stutchburyi | New Caledonia | Credit: Damien Brouste

Bernardpora stutchburyi | Lombok, Indonesia | Credit : Febrianne Sukiato

These are the frags in question, got them from TSA listed as Goniopora, but then I ended up watching a video from them saying that their Laffy Taffy (pictured on the left) is actually a Bernardpora, which led me to that conclusion. The right side is their Reese’s pieces

 

[steveschuerger]

I’ve had all three -pora in a tank but it was a 90 and I kept them well separate. Bernie’s I kept near the back left corner, Gonis were mostly front left-center and I had 3 Alves front right, in front of my hammer-spawn.
Right now I have on plus another Bernie on the way in a 25 lagoon with mostly Gonis planned for the front.

 

[PointerReefs]

I’ve had all three -pora in a tank but it was a 90 and I kept them well separate. Bernie’s I kept near the back left corner, Gonis were mostly front left-center and I had 3 Alves front right, in front of my hammer-spawn.
Right now I have on plus another Bernie on the way in a 25 lagoon with mostly Gonis planned for the front.

How did the Alveopora play near the Euphyllia?

This is the section I’m using right now until they grow larger (optimistically) 3 Alveopora on the left.. 6 Goni’s in center of photo (1 hardly opens but I’m doing my best to coax it open) so might end up being 5.. and the 2 Bernard’s on the right..

 

[steveschuerger]

How did the Alveopora play near the Euphyllia?

This is the section I’m using right now until they grow larger (optimistically) 3 Alveopora on the left.. 6 Goni’s in center of photo (1 hardly opens but I’m doing my best to coax it open) so might end up being 5.. and the 2 Bernard’s on the right..

Well first off love the aquascape. And gotta be patient with Gonis as I’ve seen them be all happy then sulk forever. I had one that stayed mostly withdrawn for almost 3 months before.

 

[PointerReefs]

How did the Alveopora play near the Euphyllia?

This is the section I’m using right now until they grow larger (optimistically) 3 Alveopora on the left.. 6 Goni’s in center of photo (1 hardly opens but I’m doing my best to coax it open) so might end up being 5.. and the 2 Bernard’s on the right..

Well first off love the aquascape. And gotta be patient with Gonis as I’ve seen them be all happy then sulk forever. I had one that stayed mostly withdrawn for almost 3 months before.

Appreciate it brotha I’m hoping it opens up eventually.. been closed since I got it but every once in a while it barely opens but almost no extension of the polyps. Started doing a twice weekly force feeding I’m not sure what else to call it. I think I saw it on reefdude’s channel placing it in a container every couple days with aminos and particulate foods to try and force it to eat.. not sure it’s working out for me though yet.

 

[tymo92]

Your frags are likely not Bernardpora but Goniopora minor; the hobby's concept of Bernardpora comes from a misidentification by Reef Builders and Jake Adams.

true Bernardpora look like this:
Bernardpora stutchburyi | New Caledonia | Credit: Damien Brouste

Bernardpora stutchburyi | Lombok, Indonesia | Credit : Febrianne Sukiato

Curious about the hobbyist reports of “Bernardpora” stinging other Goniopora - would Goniopora minor potentially be aggressive with other Goni species while many other Goni species can co-exist in close proximity?

 

[thamnasteroid]

Your frags are likely not Bernardpora but Goniopora minor; the hobby's concept of Bernardpora comes from a misidentification by Reef Builders and Jake Adams.

true Bernardpora look like this:
Bernardpora stutchburyi | New Caledonia | Credit: Damien Brouste

Bernardpora stutchburyi | Lombok, Indonesia | Credit : Febrianne Sukiato

Curious about the hobbyist reports of “Bernardpora” stinging other Goniopora - would Goniopora minor potentially be aggressive with other Goni species while many other Goni species can co-exist in close proximity?

Coral warfare is not necessarily a good indicator of separate genera; after all, Acros can sting each other and they're still the same genus.