[siredmund]

OK, so based on my searching of past Threads here it sounds like I am in the same boat. Went to our lfs to find the next fish for our tank as our jawfish just finished his QT and is now happily hiding in the main tank. My daughter's turn to pick out the fish and a coral, she chose a beautiful fairy wrasse and then the flowerpot coral. I had asked about the conditions for the coral first and they said it preferred a high light but should do fine at with the 4 VHO's I have in my 55gal and a medium flow.

So knowing that i have it in the top 3rd of my tank under a good flow and under the brightest part of my 4 VHO's. I can't tell if this will be enough light. We just got him Saturday and he didn't open up yesterday or so far today. After doing some research tonight I am worried he might not be happy in my tank without the MH's.

Is anyone out there keeping them without MH bulbs and of those of you out there with Flower pot corals what experiences do you have in keeping them (ie are they still alive?). Since if this isnt going to be a good match I will take him back right away rather then try to make it work and kill the poor thing. Thanks in advance for the help.
Cheers,E

[jimw369]

Description:
The Flower Pot Coral is aptly named. The polyps of this coral look like tiny flowers. Unfortunately, this coral can be difficult to care for; so despite its stunning appearance, it may not be appropriate for every aquarium.

This record refers to the Flower Pot corals of the genus Goniopora. Goniopora sp. corals are very similar to less common Alveopora sp. corals which also have the same common names. While Goniopora sp. corals are very difficult to keep alive on a long term basis, Alveopora sp. are much easier. The most obvious difference is the number of tentacles at the end of each polyp. Goniopora sp. corals have 24 tentacles and Alveopora sp. corals have 12 tentacles.

Flower Pot Corals occur naturally in murky, dim waters. In an aquarium, it is generally good to have some turbidity. A low to moderate current should be provided. This has the added advantage of making the polyps of Flower Pot Corals appear to be blowing, as in a wind. Flower Pot Corals may act aggressively to other corals and should be placed at a good distance from other corals. They do not have sweeper tentacles but their normal tentacles can extend a surprising distance from the base to sting other corals. Although Clown Fish, in the absence of a host anemone, may adopt a Flower Pot Coral, this can sometimes harm the coral if the Clown Fish is too aggressive when swimming within the tentacles. It is important to keep the water quality high in an aquarium where Flower Pot Corals are kept. This is one of the more difficult species of corals to care for on a long term basis with most specimens not surviving more than 6 months in an aquarium. Reports of longer survival periods are often related to extremely large aquariums or mistaking Alveopora sp. for Goniopora sp. It is important to start with a healthy specimen, if you wish your Flower Pot Coral to have a better chance of thriving.

The Flower Pot Coral grows from a skeletal base. Tentacles protrude from this base, and at the tip of each is a structure similar in appearance to a flower. Tiny tentacles used for feeding grow from this flower-like structure. Flower Pot Corals are gray, silver-gray, green, or brown in color.

Flower Pot Corals are native to tropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans

[siredmund]

It is a Goniopora sp. just fyi..... so it is a tough coral to keep but will it be happy without MH?

[robe25m]

Never, I made the mistake of buying one without proper knowledge, this coral will quickly die, as far as i'm concerned they should not leave the ocean..

[siredmund]

Thank you all for the help, on your advice and the fact that the coral never opened for me, at all, I returned the flowerpot and in exchange picked up a nice fox coral (Nemenzophyllia), a tan toadstool, an amazing orange Zoanthid frag, and a small branch of xenia coral. They should be much happier in my tank and help fill out the empty spots.
I will post pictures as soon as I can. Thanks again!
Cheers,
-E

[ozzy_200769]

Mine used to open regularly when I had a 55g
I upgraded to a 75 w/ the same lighting and he now barely opens.
I don't know what to do for him.

[godzilla4rilla]

they are a pain.

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by robe25m

Never, I made the mistake of buying one without proper knowledge, this coral will quickly die, as far as i'm concerned they should not leave the ocean..

+1 Robe

[REEFMASTER]

I second that! This is a coral that belongs in the seas, not our living rooms!