Favorite methods of mounting Goni

[bluemon]

I recently got into Goniopora a lot more, totaling around 10 specimen.

I mounted the old ones by taking the frag off the plug they came on (if that was feasible) and putting them on a bigger ceramic plug.

I understand they grow by “expanding” as a sphere, with new polyps sprouting from in between existing ones. I was thinking the flat ceramic tiles would make it easier for them to grow, and frag later (and move around as gonis can be sensitive to flow)

I also understand that these do not encrust much unlike their cousins bernardoporas.

I’ve even experimented by making a hole in a zoa dome, and having the frag deep enough so that the flesh is flush with the surface. Seems to do fine so far.

Anyone have any tips or suggestions for mounting Goniopora?

 

[bubbgee]

Pretty much what to did. I might get a larger one since my glitter bombs are around half a golfball sized now.

 

[bluemon]

Pretty much what to did. I might get a larger one since my glitter bombs are around half a golfball sized now.

Do you take the frag off the plug, or just nip the “pole” of the frag plug and attach the plug onto the tile? Its been easy enough to do so far, but I lost a quarter of a frag due to me being too ambitious with taking the frag off

 

[bubbgee]

Do you take the frag off the plug, or just nip the “pole” of the frag plug and attach the plug onto the tile? Its been easy enough to do so far, but I lost a quarter of a frag due to me being too ambitious with taking the frag off

Nip the pole and then glue the frag plug on the new tile.

 

[bluemon]

Anyone have any other methods?

 

[Shirak]

Anyone have any other methods?

Some of the very small polyp type will encrust quite vigorously so be careful there. The so called bernardpora even though they are not. They also have very long sweeper polyps and a powerful sting.

For the ones that get round, they will encrust downward slowly and may eventually attach to rockwork. I like the idea of keeping them on the plug and cutting the stem off. That way you can move them around without too much trouble until you have a spot they are happy in. Trying to get them off the plugs is a little risky as it's easy to break small frags.