Sick goniopora?

[FishyLiam]

Hello,
this is my first post.

I have a little micro reef (10 gallons with 5 gallon sump). I have 2 Duncans, one (I believe to be non toxic or low toxic zoanthid), one toadstool, and one Goniopora. I have this tank in my college dorm so it is difficult to have a larger tank.

The tank was cloudy with algae and I had a uv light but the pump for it was not working well, so I connected it to the main pump using 3d printed parts. When I got back to the dorm the tank was clear.

However the Goniopora was not as fully extended as it usially was and covered with bubble algae. I physically removed the algae and it is basically back in the same spot that it was in (that it was not fully extended but I also put it back in the same spot). The algae seems to be hurting the coral and killed like 2 of the polyps before.

Is the coral ok? It looks a little white on the base (rock part). Should I do a hydrogen peroxide dip. I did one before for the zoanthid and it did wonderfully. Or am I over thinking this.

I have had this coral for half a year.

Picture of before feeding and after (retracted to see the base)

 

[Ryanliyikun]

Sounds like it’s more stressed than dying, likely from the bubble algae and recent changes. Goniopora can be pretty sensitive, so I’d avoid a peroxide dip since it can be harsh on them. I’d just keep manually removing the algae, maintain stable parameters, and give it some time to recover—slight whitening at the base can happen with stress, but as long as the tissue isn’t receding quickly, it should bounce back

 

[FishyLiam]

Sounds like it’s more stressed than dying, likely from the bubble algae and recent changes. Goniopora can be pretty sensitive, so I’d avoid a peroxide dip since it can be harsh on them. I’d just keep manually removing the algae, maintain stable parameters, and give it some time to recover—slight whitening at the base can happen with stress, but as long as the tissue isn’t receding quickly, it should bounce back

Sounds good. Ill keep everything stable and remove the algae when it comes up. Thank You.

 

[FishyLiam]

Hi, I am unsure how this site works still but I am hoping I can still post some more information on this post.

The goniopora is still not coming out and algae is still covering it. I have been removing the algae with a pipet, tweezers, and sometimes a toothbrush. Also, I moved it twice since in different spots in the tank to see if anything would change.

Pls help. Thank You.

 

[StradicCi4]

Goniapora are known as the 6 month corals, they tend to take 6 or so months and kick the bucket.

There is anecdotal evidence that increasing your manganese helps them.

You could do an ICP test, although for a pico reef may not be worth it.

 

[FishyLiam]

Makes sense, It was 10 dollars. It was doing really well before. I will increase the magnesium but I do not have an ICP test.

 

[dloberry]

Where is it located? High in column, low, or mid. I do not blast mine with par because they do not seem to like it much. Also, once you find a soot leave it because when you mess with them they will recede and polyps will not extend.

 

[FishyLiam]

Where is it located? High in column, low, or mid. I do not blast mine with par because they do not seem to like it much. Also, once you find a soot leave it because when you mess with them they will recede and polyps will not extend.

It is in the mid column to low, and with low lighting. With medium flow.

 

[dloberry]

You have it in the right lighting and flow

 

[dloberry]

You have it in the right lighting and flow

Another thing I do since goniopora are so sensitive is not use anything like a toothbrush for cleaning but rather a baster and gently try to remove algae that way

 

[steveschuerger]

Gonios are fickle as all heck. I’ve had them for almost 5 yrs. Some just wouldn’t stop growing at 3+ yrs and others poof at less than a month. Right now I’ve got a number and most are happy but 2 aren’t happy at all. I’m hoping they eventually turn around but we shall see. Big thing is moderate flow, low to moderate lighting and they love magnesium and manganese. If you could I’d suggest putting the Goni on the “ground floor” for now.