A few more interesting links

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ight=goniopora

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...ight=goniopora

Sam,

Thanks for those links. Its great to read about real world experiences & people having success with difficult to keep species.

Anthony

They are in fact in the same family and are thus very similar corals, in fact, alveopora are often mis-identified as goniopora. According to Borneman in Aquarium Corals, both alveopra and goniopora have very similar needs and requirements. Both are considered as difficult to keep and likely not to survive. However, there are many who are recently having greater success with both of these corals. There is still no cetainty for long term survival of either in captivity.

Why is that Anthony?
All the authors to a tee recommend that reefers do not purchase these animals as the requirements for successfully keeping them is not known.

The real world experience is that they decline within weeks in the LFS tanks and die in the reefers tanks within months.

Yes, but if companies did not try to make food specifically for hard to keep corals (ie. like reefroids) and individuals, who may have bought their first "impossible to keep" corals without doing their own research or being told wrong info by the LFS, did not write about any successes they may have had in keeping the corals alive, reefing would have been nearly impossible today. I'm not saying we should all now go out & buy these species. However, these reefers who are having some success are getting the info out on foods, techniques, tank parameters, etc. so others can learn & the pool of knowledge can grow.

It is highly unrealistic that suppliers will stop shipping these daisy/flowerpot corals or that all LFS will stop ordering them in because they are beautiful, colourful, and showy. From my observations and discussions with people at many of our LFS, people who participate and do their research on these types of forums are not in the majority. Most people go to the LFS, see something that catches their eye, and buy it. That's why Alveoporas & Gonioporas are, and have been since reefing started, good sellers. I've talked to many of the saltwater room guys and they say that their customers & their bosses want them to bring it in. Also, even the "good" LFS that conscientously refuses to order these species in will often get them in their shipments as replacement or filler corals because their shipper or supplier has too many or wants to get rid of a few.

"Impossible to keep" was what they called Acros & other sps not that long ago. Is it better to have a wider knowledge base on what it takes to at least give the corals a fighting chance or totally depend on the good will and knowledge of every reefer in the world boycotting these species until every LFS & coral supplier stops bringing them in. If you check pretty much every internet sw site or your LFS, you'll find flowerpot corals available. I'd rather know how to take care of them than to hope that businesses worldwide will ban their collection (because that's not gonna happen).

That's why I commend the other member for letting us know what others are doing to help keep these corals alive and thriving in their tanks. One person has had their's (according to their own account) for 9 years, which would indicate they are doing something right.

Anthony

My point was that I don't know why they are considered as difficult to keep as Goniopora because I seldomly read about people's Alveoporas dying on forums. I have read on forums that Alveopora are easier than Goniopora. My impression had been that people are keeping them alive fine. Even you have had yours for a year so far and yours is doing well (Good to hear). Yes, books and websites clump them together as difficult to keep but they also say anemones are difficult to keep and that most anemones die and to keep them in the ocean. I'm just not totally convinced that the 2 corals should have their requirements and survival rates grouped together just because they look the same and are from the same family. My feeling from reading and from experience is that goniopora needs to be target fed but alveopora doesn't.

http://www.cnidarianreef.com/coral.cfm?AID=Alveopora
http://www.reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopi...ight=alveopora

You may very well be correct on that. I'm just basing it on what I've read in books and on forums as well. As with many things in this hobby, much of the information becomes quickly dated. There is just so much advancement taking place.

Knowing what I know now, I would not look to purchase another at this time, nor would I reccomend one to a novice. I did get mine from another reefer also, so it may also be a hardier variety than some of the wild collected ones.

Yes, I don't think Sam or anyone else recommends them to the new or casual reefer. However, with those links provided, there is some useful new info about how to take care of them with some hope of success if you already have one.

Anthony

Casual? New? I don't think so.

Goniopora: There have been no advancements. There are several experts and scientists who feel that they may be successful in the near future of finding out just what is required to keep this coral alive.
Please see: http://www.marinedepot.com/FORUMS/To...ight=goniopora

That is a far cry from saying only newbies and casual reefers should stay away from them.

These are living creatures and best kept in the ocean until their feeding and care requirements are ascertained and we as reefers have that knowledge and possess the necessary equipment and feeding to keep them alive

I did not recommend Goniopora to a new or casual reefer. Therefore, what Anthony said is true.

In addition, I did not say nor imply that "Only newbies and casual reefers should stay away from them". Therefore what you've inferred I said is incorrect.

Please don't try to start an argument where none exists. Thanks.