Alveopora sp. or Goniopora sp

My lfs gave me another coral to try. since one of it's branches was gone . ( she gave me a torch coral last time, and it's thriving now ! ;D )

the tentacles were actually out but i shifted it to another place so it's retracted in this picture. but you could probably see the tentacles still , so hopefully you guys can id it for me. they say 24 for gonio and 12 for alveo, but i don't know how to see ;D

thanks guys! ( prays it's alveo )

 

Cant really tell while its polyps are closed. When they are open count the number of tenticles that are around the polyp. 12=Alveopora and 24=Goniopora. If you do have Goni, the chance of survival is slim to none. If its Alveopora, your success rate will still be low, but better.

IMO its just one of those corals that should be left in the sea.

 

thanks for the fast reply ;D

what do you mean around the polyp. i know it has a few branches. some of it are dead. so do i just count the remaining tentacles on all of the branches, or just tentacles from one branch?

 

What you are calling the tenticles tenticles are the polyps. the things that look like the petals to the flower are what i am calling the tenticles. There probably is a more specific name for it.

 

OH! i get it now, sorry ! thanks i'll go check it now and let you know ;D

 

should look like this.count the little dots on the end of the petel looking thing.(I had got this as a freebee attached from a zoa colony,seems to be doing better everyday)

 

haha yea i counted mine already, it's 12 petals, thankfully =D

 

I fully agree, alveopora are pretty difficult as well, but only like a tiny bit easier than goniopora.

Good luck!

 

hmm i'm new to corals and nems. but could you explain a bit about why it's so difficult?? are there other factors besides pristine water parameters?

 

There are different species. One of the green (goniopora stokesi) varieties you see in the stores is the one that dies often.
One reason is that they actually prefer somewhat dirty water. In the ocean they are found in lagoons and such where the water isn't the greatest.
They should be fed small foods and supplemented with iron and manganese.
I have a pink and a blue.
http://archiv.korallenriff.de/Sindelfingen2006/Germany-neu2.pdf