How fast does Goniopora grow?

The frags and mother colonies often have their polyps extended after a few hours. Growth over fresh wounds is quick, usually showing tissue over bare skeleton within two weeks. I believe this fast initial growth is tissue embedded in the skeleton growing to the surface and developing polyps.

What kind of coral is Goniopora?

stony coral
Goniopora, often called flowerpot coral, is a genus of colonial stony coral found in lagoons and turbid water conditions. Goniopora have numerous daisy-like polyps that extend outward from the base, each tipped with 24 stinging tentacles which surrounds a mouth.

How big do Goniopora get?

In a few short months they went from quarter size to fleshy 4-5” pieces. Looking at their skeletons when their polyps retract, I can see large mass increase. Red/green/purple they all grow fast if given proper conditions.

Can Goniopora grow back?

Most LPS unlike SPS has no way of regrowing old dead tissue, goniopora is one that can “reclaim” dead area. Branching hammers or frogspawn or the like have no way to do so. If a polyp dies on the end of a branch well you now have a dead polypless branch. At that point some people will cut the dead branch off.

How often should I Feed my Goniopora coral?

It prefers moderate to high water flow, with moderate to high lighting conditions. I feed this species DT’s oyster eggs, Cyclop-eeze juice and phytoplankton three to five times per week. In my opinion, this coral does not need direct feeding to thrive, although such feedings do seem to enhance its growth.

What kind of reef does a Goniopora live in?

The several small-polyped varieties we keep at Fin and Feather have shapes that are often mounding and encrusting, reminiscent of common Porites growth forms. Generally, these types of Goniopora are found on the reef attached to substrate rather than being free-living colonies in deep and often turbid waters like Goniopora stokesi.

How long does it take Goniopora to grow new tissue?

I fragmented the original colony into six pieces in September of 2004. They grew new tissue over the cut skeleton at a rate of approximately 1mm every two to three weeks. Tissue eventually reached the concrete plug or shell onto which they were glued and it continued to grow, encrusting the plug.

What kind of filtration do I need for Goniopora?

Currently, I keep Goniopora fragments for sale under VHO and power compact combinations, and they show the same color and polyp extension as under metal halide lights. There is no mechanical filtration on any of the systems. For the first two and a half years, I did no direct feeding of the colonies except for occasional additions of phytoplankton.