Coral ID Help

[marlo1]

Can you all please tell me if one of these corals have caused the stalk on my leather to fold? My leathers have been doing extremely well until I added the new corals. They are my first real purchases in a long time. My LFS told me they could cohabitate fine however after reading some info by Fenner he says the flowerpots (goniopora sp.) almost always die, they will poison other tank mates and they need high nutrient water which is not typical in a reef tank. I am feeling foolish already. I do not know what the red one or the yellow one are and any care tips would be great. Will the yellow one attach itself to the rock with the rubber band or do I need to epoxy it to the rock? These photos were taken right after the lights came on so the flowerpots are not fully extended yet, they can be viewed at http://www.bcrescuetexas.org/Temp2.htm.

 

[Reef-Madness]

! On the sixth picture down, near the base of the leather there are clearly visible a couple of CORAL EATING STARFISH !

They are tiny little starfish that look like they are missing legs. Different authors seem to have varying views of how dangerous they are, but I would sure pluck them out. I am not saying they caused the bent Leather, but I wouldn't trust them.

The yellow one will probably attach with either rubberband or Superglue Gel, I have not had one of those but I would try the rubberband awhile. The glue usually works on the tougher skinned species like this one appears to be, so it would probably work also.

Unfortunately, the Goni species you have are not likely to make it. There are rare exceptions but most of them eventually stop opening up. I have a couple of pieces that have not come out in 6 months. I keep waiting for them to die completely, but they are just colorful rocks now.



There are branching varieties that have had better success, and the red ones are reported to be quite hardy for some. It is a shame, but the green/yellow ones are incredible in Actinic lighting- at least for awhile.

Good luck!

 

[Anonymous]

no flame meant here- but after your goni's die, PLEASE don't purchase anymore.the most experienced experts still haven't figured out what these critters need for long term survival in home reef tanks.even the small percentage of those that stay alive for (relatively) long periods do so without their keepers knowing exactly why.
purchasing these beautiful and tempting corals only encourages stores to keep carrying 'em, unnecessarily sentencing thousands to death every year.sorry for preaching, and good luck with your tank!
FWIW-i don't know anything about the stars, but some of the literature i've read states that goni's may be aggresive, indicated by some observations of large 'fields', with no other species nearby- though this seems to be, at present,an observational conclusion.i think you can find an article in the archives of either aquarium frontiers online,or advanced aquarists magazine online.luck

 

[Chucker]

! On the sixth picture down, near the base of the leather there are clearly visible a couple of CORAL EATING STARFISH !

They are tiny little starfish that look like they are missing legs. Different authors seem to have varying views of how dangerous they are, but I would sure pluck them out. I am not saying they caused the bent Leather, but I wouldn't trust them.

FWIW, the tan, multi-legged, asymmetrical starfish as seen in our HHFAQ have been in my tank (and those of others I have sent items to) for many years. On no occasion have they ever been observed consuming any coral tissue, dead or alive.