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View Full Version : New LPS arrived today!!!! LPS newb has question


sjj80
06/03/2008, 10:32 AM
I have recieved a goniopora and a green lobo brain and they are currently acclimating. What unwanted pests should I look for on these corals before adding them to the tank???

MrSpiffy
06/03/2008, 10:45 AM
By all means, I don't mean to play the role of "cop", here... but if you're new to LPS, I can't say goniopora is a great place to start. They rarely ever survive. I tried alveopora, which is a close (supposedly easier-to-keep) relative to goniopora, and it most-certainly didn't make it.

Otherwise, pests..? I'd check for flatworms. A lot of other pests, like red bugs, acropora-eating flatworms, nudibranchs, etc. usually go for other forms of coral, like SPS or zoanthids. Maybe check for unwanted algae, too. No one likes introducing bubble or hair algae.

sjj80
06/03/2008, 10:48 AM
What is it about goniopora that makes them hard to keep?

I'd like to know so I can do my best at keeping it alive and well.

Gdevine
06/03/2008, 10:55 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12669524#post12669524 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjj80
What is it about goniopora that makes them hard to keep?

I'd like to know so I can do my best at keeping it alive and well.

No one knows why Goniopora are so hard to keep; most speculate that tank water does not contain enough of the type of nutrition that it finds on the wild reef and something we can't readily replace.

You are aware that brain needs to be fed a few times a week. They are slow eaters so you need patience and a way to protect it from fish and others who will steal its food.

sjj80
06/03/2008, 11:17 AM
Thanks!!! I have rods food, mysis, prime reef and krill, is one of those preferred by the lobo and is there another frozen meat I should get for it???

Do I need to feed the goni???

MrSpiffy
06/03/2008, 11:23 AM
I've heard you can try feeding the polyps of the goniopora with cyclopeeze paste (just add some water to freeze-dried, or use the frozen) and a small syringe to put drops of it on some of the polyps. Some also add oyster eggs and other small particle foods, too. But again, it seems hit-or-miss with these as far as success goes.

Hormigaquatica
06/03/2008, 11:25 AM
You will find a lot of helpful information on http://www.goniopora.org They cover feeding, care issues, etc.

As far as things to look for- algae is the biggest nuisance IMO. Hair algae and bubble algae can be a pain. Otherwise watch for predatory worms, crabs, and flatworms. You can get other hitchhikers on LPS, but its not that common. I never worry about it too much honestly.

abulgin
06/03/2008, 11:27 AM
http://www.asira.org/goniopora

sjj80
06/03/2008, 11:52 AM
Thanks for the links! I'm going to start reading, but before I do I have another question, Should I dip them in lugol's solution after they've acclimated or just put them right in (after inspection of course)???

abulgin
06/03/2008, 12:12 PM
I dip all my corals in an iodine solution before putting them in display (after acclimation). I use 10 drops of Brightwell Aquatics Coral Dip in 1/2 gallon of pre-mixed salt water, although I've heard of people doing freshwater dips as well. For LPS, I dip 5-7 minutes.

sjj80
06/03/2008, 12:29 PM
Thanks!

Still reading the links between checking on the corals and my new jawfish, lots of good info.

sjj80
06/03/2008, 01:15 PM
Found a cuople of things on the LPS, please help me identify

Red slimy spot on Lobo Brain
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/108400DSC00695.JPG

Hitchhikers, what's the slug looking one?
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/108400DSC00705.JPG

gig
06/03/2008, 01:16 PM
try target feeding the goniopora as much as possible, I never fed mine and it slowly withered away. :(

Although like others said here, it's not a beginner's LPS

The_Browns
06/03/2008, 01:21 PM
The slug looking thing looks like a stomatella to me. Reef Safe!

HumbleLobster
06/03/2008, 01:21 PM
I spot feed my green goniopora every other day with cyclo paste. I've had it for about 4 months now and its thriving, even with a clown hosting in it. Its grown fairly well, and has healed on the spot where it was whacked in a rock avalanche.

Gdevine
06/03/2008, 01:38 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12669766#post12669766 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjj80
Thanks!!! I have rods food, mysis, prime reef and krill, is one of those preferred by the lobo and is there another frozen meat I should get for it???

Do I need to feed the goni???

I feed finely chopped mysis mixed with frozen baby bryne and cyclopes all mixed with some tank water. I use a liter soda bottle cut in half and place over the brain. I then use a target feeder and let the food rain down on the brain a few times over the course of an hour. Then you got to let them eat for close to 2 hours IMO. Also, unless trained, you need to do this at lights out as they feed in the dark for the most part.

A lot of work for sure but brains are simply beautiful and if well fed in moderate flow they will thrive!

sjj80
06/03/2008, 01:44 PM
Thanks!!!

Anyone know what the red climy spots on the lobo are?

Anymore opinions on the slug looking thing?

TWallace
06/03/2008, 01:44 PM
Like others have mentioned, http://goniopora.org is a fantastic resource for learning about their care. Not all goniopora are doomed to certrain death in captivity. There are several species (over 20 as I recall) and some are harder to keep than others. I've got 3 gonioporas (all different species) currently. My oldest is about 8 months and has been growing nicely and looks great. My youngest is 2.5 months old and is slowly looking better (didn't look great in the LFS). I feed mine frozen cyclopeeze a couple times a week. They like very gentle flow.

Hormigaquatica
06/03/2008, 02:17 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12670758#post12670758 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjj80
[BAnyone know what the red climy spots on the lobo are?

Anymore opinions on the slug looking thing? [/B]

Red spots appear to be sponges- maybe Bryzoans or something similar. Harmless filter feeders at any rate.
The slug-thing is a Stomatella; a harmless algae grazer.

sjj80
06/03/2008, 03:53 PM
Are sponges slimy looking? I've never seen one before.

sjj80
06/03/2008, 07:53 PM
Well the PE on my goniopora has been coming along slowly over the last few hours, so that's good, but I don't see any PE on the lobo. Is this normal? Does anyone have a pic of their green lobo with PE I can see?

LionfishFinatic
06/03/2008, 08:18 PM
lobos don't really have PE perse but more like feeder tentacles here is a pic of my old brain with some feeders out

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m31/Lionfishfinatic/100_0422.jpg

(also my avatar ;) )

sjj80
06/03/2008, 08:38 PM
Oh, Do they only come out at night? My lobo also looks like it's closed up compared to yours, is that normal for his first day?

Nice pic BTW

O-man21
06/04/2008, 12:18 AM
Yea, give it time. It'll puff up soon enough.

sjj80
06/04/2008, 01:33 AM
Thanks.

kfisc
06/04/2008, 03:58 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12670583#post12670583 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjj80
Found a cuople of things on the LPS, please help me identify



Hitchhikers, what's the slug looking one?
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/108400DSC00705.JPG

If the snail in the upper half of the picture hitchhiked in, and you have or intend to have clams, get rid of it and any others- It appears to be a pyramid snail, which feed on clams- and larger snails. You can grab them up with a turkey baster.

sjj80
06/04/2008, 04:25 PM
My lobo didn't have any tentacles out last night and he doesn't seem to be inflating, Could he be a different kind of lobo that doesn't inflate. I've seen pics of lobos that look the way mine does, but I can't find much info.

Pics
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/108400DSC00711.JPG
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/108400DSC00712.JPG

He's on the sand now with low to moderate flow, should I move him to the rocks, does he need more light or flow?

sjj80
06/04/2008, 06:04 PM
^^^

LionfishFinatic
06/04/2008, 06:57 PM
i don't know too much about LPS but i would think you might want to lightly blow the sand off of the brain with a turkey baster, that is how my brain met it's demise was that either sand or salt burned its flesh and it just withered away. make sure to feed it meaty foods as well. as long as its flesh doesn't get torn it should be fine.

sjj80
06/04/2008, 10:42 PM
Anyone have advice on lobo brain placement???

sjj80
06/05/2008, 11:04 AM
Anyone?

gig
06/05/2008, 11:21 AM
normally low in the tank, on the sand