Clowns at play?

[Darth-Tater]

The flowerpot was a gift from my son in Austin. He came down last weekend and stop here in town and ask for an easy coral for his dumb s#$t father. They told him this flowerpot was easy to keep. Did some reading and everyone says a year at best then the fat lady will sing. I will count the tips. What is the significance of the # of petals? Thanks eveybody

David

[GaryP]

Somebody correct me if I got this backwards, but the Gonipora (true flower pot) has 24 petals. The Alveopora has 12.

This is an example of one of the urban wyths that still float around many LFS. Apparently years ago the Gonipora that were being harvested were a lot more hardy then those we now see. Over the years they have had to collect them in the wild from different areas where they did not have as good a survival rate. Many of the coral books still say thay are a hardy species. Like I said, its like an aquarium urban myth. Many LFS instruct their wholesalers not to ship them in their orders but they still get slipped in occasionally. The good news is that some folks have managed to maintain them for years. I think one thing that has helped is the availability of good zooplankton such as Cyclopeeze. I would suggest doing some research on them and working out a plan to meet its needs, buth nutritionally as well as its physical requirements in the aquarium. You never know, you might manage to keep them.

I know they were the first coral I was attracted to when I got into reefkeeping. I managed to find out a little about them before I purchased one. I can't say I did that well on some other species I have bought over the years. Did someone say Mandarin?

Good luck...

[Alamo]

Mine host in my bubble coral, it likes it apparently, very healthy and bubbly since they moved in. (Tomato clown, fireball clown)

[Darth-Tater]

Just counted the petals 24. Oh well we will make the best of it. we will treat it very good.

D

[GaryP]

I think that Vinh kept one successfully for several years. I think he may have lost it recently when his tank crashed. You might try checking with him to see if he has any pearls of wisdom to share on the secret to his success. I'm guessing that feeding may play a key to it. This is a coral that definitely needs to be fed.

A little research may be in order. Here's a good place to start.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/poritidselfaqs.htm