How difficult are gonioporas?

[Niño]

I've always been interested in getting a goniopora but heard that they are a very difficult coral to keep. Right now I have sps, lps and zoas in my tank and would like to hear if anyone has had success with them. Thanks!

Niño

 

[drainbamage]

I got a frag of a really nice red Goni from Ian/Reefodessey at the last farmers market which was about 6-7 months ago- still doing great, eats like a pig everytime I feed it, so IMO not too bad to keep. I do believe they require food and/or very high lighting- mine gets both so maybe that's the trick.

 

[mdb_talon]

In my experience and from what I have heard from others they are very sensitive to bacterial infections. I know some sucesfully care for them long term, but just based off most people I know that have tried them (and myself) their reputation as being a more difficult coral is well deserved.

 

[1Der9_3hy]

I had a great big green one for about 5 months. It went from 100% PE to closed up overnight, then got the brown jelly and wilted away very quickly. I would try another, but they just seem like a hopeless coral for aquariums.

 

[FRAGJUNKY]

In my experience the only one that really holds up in the aquarium is the red. The greens/yellows are often known as 6 month corals.. they usually do great until the 6 month mark and then just die off. Not to say its impossible to keep any of the other colors, but I believe the red to be the most hardy. Good luck with which ever you choose to try.

 

[Viva'sReef]

Yep 6 months is about right for me....I tried twice. Both died within the 6 month period. There are not many corals I have been unsuccessful at keeping, but Goni's and Yuma's just never stayed alive in my tanks

 

[Viva'sReef]

I want to add that one was yellow, and I'm almost positive it was Dyed yellow, and not naturally yellow because it slowly turned tan/beige and remained that way until it sloughed off and died

 

[1Der9_3hy]

So those beautiful red gonis hold up better in tanks?

 

[subielover]

I have had my ORA red goni for only a few months now, but so far so good.

 

[Zylski]

So those beautiful red gonis hold up better in tanks?

I have had mine for around 6-7 months and its grown really well and extends 2+ inches. It is one of my favorite corals. Just yesterday I picked up a brilliant green one and am hoping it will do well. It has very good extension after just one day of bringing it home.

 

[Pufferpunk]

The reds do seem easier to keep alive than the pinks/blues/green. But they do need to be spot-fed very fine, powdered foods.
John Kelly on Goniopora

 

[clowns101]

I can keep the aqaucultured Gonipora's,however,the wild ones relly need alot of care,mine died after a shot while in my tank,went from a healthy to a closed up ball in about a week,and then died on me.

 

[Electrobes]

I've never had goniporas but have witnessed the attempt at keeping one many, many times. It always amuses me because there will be reefers who are brand spanking new and keep them well, while veterans I personally know just can't keep a single one. They are like people (IMO) each are unique and until you find that one that loves your tank, you'll be in for quite a bit of heart break.

 

[Pufferpunk]

I kept a beautiful pink/yellow one for about 4 years. It grew to 5x purchase size. Succumbed to a cyano issue I was having :(

I have also kept a nice red one, which got reduced down to 3 polyps & has bounced back very nicely, to around 100 now.

 

[Niño]

Thanks guys, I was looking at purchasing a pink goni, I cant seem to find any red ones. I hope luck is on my side with this purchase.

 

[drainbamage]

Thanks guys, I was looking at purchasing a pink goni, I cant seem to find any red ones. I hope luck is on my side with this purchase.

If you do have a bacterial problem (brown jelly) i've recovered two different goni's by using very strong iodine dips. Both times goni recovered and has since been doing great. Just an FYI in advance

 

[JR's Reef]

The reds do pretty good Ive got a red with blue mouth Ive had for a couple yrs now. Ill try ti find a pic of it

 

[hoginme]

I have kept this one for over 5 years I have fragged it many times over, here are some pics of it from my last round of fragging

 

[shred5]

None of Gonis are a begginers coral but a few are not hard to keep, while some are pretty much impossible. Goniopora stokesi is near impossible to keep while the ones that encrust and some of the reds are easier.
Most gonis will survive about a year to a year and a half and will just die for no reason. They ussually get a brown jelly infection. So even if you have kept it a year you are not out of the woods, i would call success after 2 years for this coral. Whats funny is they look just fine even grow and then they are gone. Some do not require feeding and some require pretty heavy feedings.

Dave Polzin

 

[zoous]

I use to have a green gonipora a long time ago when I first got into saltwater. I remember it did very well for me. But lately I have seen postings saying they aren't that easy to keep. I do believe in having good lights, feeding and decent flow is important IMO.