What Corals Don't I want?

[Enigma]

MMAX's comment in the clove polyps thread got me thinking.

Originally Posted by MMAX

The people asking for these damn things may really be asking for it. I don't think they know what they are getting into. Do your research people. If you think you can contain them on a single piece of rock think again. Soon they'll start popping up where you don't want them and then start to take over.

Often times it can be very difficult to make sound decisions on livestock, even after doing hours of research. The catch, of course, is that readily available information is often incomplete or biased. Sometimes it isn't until an issue arises, and one starts researching solutions for it, that the full gravity of the situation becomes apparent.

As it turns out, I've got several "nuisance" corals that I've purchased (I knew one had that reputation before hand). While only one is yet causing me grief (my Kenya Tree . . . it frags itself all over my tank), I now know that my kenya tree, clove polyps, star polyps (knew these were trouble before purchase, but didn't fully understand how much trouble), and rhodactis mushrooms can be royal butt pains.

Is there anything that I haven't bought yet that I shouldn't: for reasons of nuisancery?

[Nano]

IME Xenia, clove polyps kenya trees, and mushrooms seem to be the most complained about, and rightfully so. they spread fast and are hard to get rid of once they start reproducing.
but others like GSP (IMO) are beautiful, and seem to be easy to manage, I keep my GSP on a separate rock by its self and if it decides to start growing into the sand I just lift it and trim that bit off every month or so. I think its in the eye of the beholder, if you like it its up to you, but just know that certain corals will take over eventually. Even some sps (apparenlty Poccilipora) will drop babies similar to kenya trees, that just pop up everywhere. so there are definitely "nice" nuisance corals in everyones tanks (almost)
Even Zoanthids pop up in weird places, I have some popped up in my tank, that I thought I had lost lol.

[NU-2reef]

You can add anthelia and Xenia to the list. And all shrooms but rics.

[Enigma]

Oh. I had forgotten about Xenia. I had one, but it died. I might skim too wet for it, or my Kenya may have nuked it. Either way, I won't get another one.

Having now searched for "anthelia" . . . some of it looks an awful lot like clove polyps. I will be sure to avoid it.

It is nice to know that my star polyps will stay pretty isolated if I keep them a bit removed.

[Snaz]

My lovely wife walks by my tank after I give it a good cleaning and proudly displaying the newer stoney corals remarks only.. "Where are the cute green grassy ones, you know that look like grass?" "That one is my favourite."

[Aquattro]

you also don't want any purple acroprora...nasty stuff. If you get some accidentally, send it to me and I'll dispose of it for you..

[Nano]

^



Real Sneaky....

[PoonTang]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

you also don't want any purple acroprora...nasty stuff. If you get some accidentally, send it to me and I'll dispose of it for you..

Really? I have a huge colony of purple acro that could definitely use a trim. Give me a shout and we can set something up for you.

[mandyplo]

Wow am I glad I saw this thread! I was looking for a coral for my second clarkii clown to host and was told they host GSP, Xenia and Clove polyps so I was looking into getting one for my clown as I don't want an anemone.

So what are some other options for me since I'm quite turned off from the corals you guys listed as nuisances now ! I heard clarkii's would host gonioporas, and frogspawn/torch corals. How are these three in the nuisance category, generally safe and easy to keep under control or would you guys discourage any of them? I'm also open to other coral suggestions!
Thanks in advance

[Enigma]

What about a toadstool? Some toadstools will tolerate Clowns alright. I purchased a hairy toadstool for my clown (along with Xenia, Rhodactis Mushrooms, Clove Polyps, and Daisy Polyps). He likes the cleaner magnet.

My only concern about having Euphyllia and Clowns is that the fish can annoy them and cause damage to them. That said, I have two torch corals, three frogspawn, and a hammer coral in a 10 gallon display tank with the Clownfish . . . and he still likes the cleaner magnet.

Euphyllia aren't typically nuisance corals, though they can have a pretty fierce sting (especially the torch corals).