Purple Flower Pot Coral

[fishforlife]

I just purchased a purple flower pot coral. When I arrived home, it opened up slightly, then the next day closed. It is closed now. My Nitrates are up a bit , but nohting to freak out about (yeah, i know...0 is the only way to go...) . I have read several reveiws on this species and some say place it on the sand, others on the mid level. Some say it like low lighting, while others say that the more brightly colored flower pot corals (ie purple and pink) like more flow and high lighitng.

Has any one had success with this beauty? If so, tell me what you do.

Thanks!
BTW I have many different species of cloral, inverts, ect...and all are thriving.

[ErikH]

Always start your corals low, and in low flow. Then move them slowly over weeks to their final spot.

[fishforlife]

Is this a common occurance for flower pot (Goniopora minor) to behave this way? I have not seen this behavior in many of my other corals.

[ErikH]

It is common for corals to look GREAT right when you put them in, and then they retract until they adjust. That's why I say low flow and sandbed until it comes out. This is a general rule for all corals, imho.

[Europhyllia]

I just got a purple flower pot coral as a frag a few weeks ago and it may have different levels of 'open' but it never completely closes.
The guy that propagates them and sold this one to me says he's feeding his freeze dried cyclop-eez so that's what I got to feed it. Perhaps mine stays open because I feed frequently?

[fishforlife]

I was told to feed it the Kent Marine Coral food (not sure what the exact name is). mine is pretty much closed. I can see purple here and there, but it for the most part is closed. Where did this person say to place your flower pot in the tank, water movement, lighting, ect...

[Europhyllia]

I didn't ask him. I checked on Asira (http://www.asira.org/goniopora) and based on that mine is on the rock fairly low but in good flow.
He did mention that he had tried for a few years to find flowerpots that did well in the aquarium and the purple ones I got where one of two kinds that actually did well.
I am guessing many don't do well. That's why I liked aquacultured. I only have a little piece but so far it seems to be doing pretty well.

[fishforlife]

okay this is strange. I turne off by bright lights (10K compacts) and let the blue acentic lights go on their normal cycle. With in just a few minutes, several corals, popped out.

What might this mean?

[joelb]

if you can find a spot in your tank, not too close to the light, where the coral gets pushed around... just a little bit, by the currents then stops and is still for a second or two then gets pushed around again, that is the sweet spot. try it with xenia or gsp so you can see what im talking about first but there is always a few spots in your tank that are out of the current but every few seconds get a little gust of flow. put it there and leave it for a few days and see if that helps. they are some what hard to keep happy so good luck.

[Europhyllia]

which ones popped out? Some corals feed at night (like chili corals, sun coral, etc.)

[fishforlife]

the purple flower pot corals popped out.

It was very strange. Maybe it is just being very sensitive right now. I think I'll let the blues run for most of the day tomorrow and try to find the sweet spot.

[corruption]

Try to find a low in the tank, medium flow area, and leave it be for a few days -- every time you move it, you may be prolonging the time before it extends again...

EuroMom: Historically, Goniopora has never fared well in aquaria, much the same way that historically, mandarins don't make it... its why we over at WWM typically place our vote against such additions... I hadn't heard about any Goniopora being aquarium-adaptable, but if you've got a frag, obviously someone's found a hearty specimen over the years -- no different from how while most tanks will likely still not support a wild-caught mandarin, the people who are advancing the handling, and eventual breeding, of mandarins are carving the way for the next 'generation'..

-Corruption

[ErikH]

Yup low flow low light! lol.

Corruption, you write just like Fenner... well close. :)

[corruption]

Corruption, you write just like Fenner... well close. :)
<Mmmm, I try.... ;)>

He's very much a personal hero in ways of writing, and I had a bit of that style to begin with -- but after 3.5 years of working with the man, its hard not to pick up a few mannerisms ;)

-Corruption

[Bill S]

Flower Pots are VERY difficult. As noted above, they should probably be left in the wild. Some folks are very successful at them. Over the years, I've done very well with many very difficult specimens. Flower Pots (Gonoporia), is NOT one of those I've had any success with.

[fishforlife]

Well the flower pot seems to open up, then cose...At one point today the majority of the coral was open and lovely, only to close a while later.

I bought the purple flower pot from a LFS that I trust. However, they told me it was an easy coral to maintain. I foolishly bought with my eyes and noth with my knowledge and research.

I will keep the water perfect, and the coral in low flow and lighting....

Hears hoping...

[Gseclipse02]

whats easy for one may be hard for another

[corruption]

Gseclipse02: Thats a good point -- but doesn't really fit the situation. When upwards of 95% of the stock that is pulled from the reef doesn't make it in home aquaria, its hard to call it easy for anyone -- in most conditions, with most specimens this is usually one that should stay on the reef. Just my opinion.

-Corruption

[fishforlife]

Well, It has been a week since I bought the coral and I am glad to say it has been opening up nicely. It does not stay open all the time, but it does open. The weird thing is that it opens at different times. I am still getting to know the little fella so hopefully I can treat it well.

I have some keny Marine coral food. I have been adding it in the water as directed, but do you think it would be a good idea to place some in a dropper and when the coral is open spray some directly on the heads?

[allan]

Thats what I do with mine... gently let the food wash over the heads when they're extended.
I've had mine about eight months and thought that it was flourishing, but the other day I noticed that it looks as if over the last few months the coral has been receding towards the top of the skeleton... since there isn't anywhere else for it to go I assume that I will eventually lose him.

That being said I was told the same thing... easy to maintain coral. I think they were correct if you finish that statement with 'easy to maintain coral until it's gone'. My daugther had one (green long tentacles), and it started to turn into jelly. Now she has an expensive piece of live rock.

I won't keep another one.