Algae in Alveopora polyps

[ellebelle]

Wow, you can really see the dead spots on that photo too.

Do you have any advice to keep it from receding?

 

[digitalreefer]

OK guys.......

Not going to debate....but this is your first Alevo & you've only had it a month.

It lighter than when you first got it.
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=18814&stc=1&d=1171761085

I understand you puchased it with dead spots on it.....but I'm telling you, it will recede in time.
It's bleaching. I've experienced it. Yes, the polyps will extend for some time in that condition.
Take my advice for what's it worth (nada).

Peace, love & happiness.

You may be right about it's health, but it is in fact much darker now than it was. The first photo is simply not a very good shot. I'm not arguing with your assessment, just saying that the photos are misleading.

 

[DevIouS]

.

Do you have any advice to keep it from receding?

Nope...:happysad:
It happens slowly & it's pretty painful to watch because you feel helpless.

I'm not saying it will happen over night.


Eric:
I understand that & I would like to see a better pic, but the coloration does not look healthy to me.
IMO branching Alveo can have deadspots towards the base, because as Dean stated they grow outward....but when there are deadspots on the skeleton, in the middle of a polyp patch......that's not a good sign.
Algae growing = not better.

I understand it was purchased with dead-spots, but it will not heal in that area.

If it continues to get lighter ("bleach") it could be a type of bacteria.
(everything I've always read relates to Goniopora)

High light can cause an Alveo to bleach (ask me how I know).
They like LOW flow. Turn off your pumps for a few minutes & see how much they expand.


Here is one of my first Alveo purchases.
Not knowing better, this one was purchased "bleached."
Although it survived for months & extended very well (see 2nd pic, the one in the back) it receded slowly.

Here's one I recently got from Ronen.

(yes the lighting makes it appear as if some of the polyps are bleaching)




Just sharing my experience guys. I hope it turns out for the best.
Just take advice with open ears.

 

[ellebelle]

I know they like low flow - mine is in an area that gets very little flow. I have PC lights and the coral is towards the middle of my tank, so I think I'm probably okay on lighting as well. I could try moving it to a semi-shaded area though.

Looking at those photos, I think I probably bought mine somewhat bleached. The coloration of mine "in real life" looks very much like the uppermost photo in your set, only the tips are a little more green than in that photo. But it certainly is not as darkly colored as the bottom one, or the front on in the second photo (same coral?)

 

[ReeferGoneMad]

If it continues to get lighter ("bleach") it could be a type of bacteria.
(everything I've always read relates to Goniopora)

Hey d. Could you elaborate more on this? I would like to know more. PM me if anything

 

[DevIouS]

I know they like low flow

Just mentioning it to the other readers....



2 different pieces, in different tanks.




Hey Joe:
Not many (if any) good articles on Alveos.
As I mentioned, everything I've read about Alveos was lumped in with Gonio's, so I guess it's not a good guide to follow.

(I know the "Link King" will chime in by morning time)

Here's one by Julian Sprung:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/dec2002/invert.htm


Quick care sheet:

http://www.reefcorner.com/SpecimenSheets/alveopora.htm

http://www2.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/301-400/Species%20pages/360.htm

 

[DevIouS]

& I wanna go on the record & say -
Yes there are different morphs of Alveo:flower:

 

[muntai]

i'm afraid u may not b giving the Alveo a little more credit here. while its most true for gonis, Alveos may fair well at least better than gonis. there have been discovery of knowledge on both that have lead to higher survival n even thriving gonis n alveos. this of cause have been achieved by very experience reefers. there have been highly speculative evidences that these corals not only need ca/alk for calcification, but although they perform photosynthesis;polyps should be fed regularly in order for the colony to thrive n even reproduce.
while i certainly do not condone the sale of both in the trade due to poor survival rate among many many species in the LFS, it is however common practice due to the fact that many r still buying it either because not knowing, misguided or just giving in to their desire to have a beautiful coral.
heres an article a friend wrote that may be of interest

 

[Deanos]

i'm afraid u may not b giving the Alveo a little more credit here. while its most true for gonis, Alveos may fair well at least better than gonis. there have been discovery of knowledge on both that have lead to higher survival n even thriving gonis n alveos. this of cause have been achieved by very experience reefers. there have been highly speculative evidences that these corals not only need ca/alk for calcification, but although they perform photosynthesis;polyps should be fed regularly in order for the colony to thrive n even reproduce.

Almost all of the reef literature I've read, states Alveopora is "easier" to maintain than Goniopora. That's the reason I've always chosen Alveos over Gonios. However, after 3 years of slow recession in various Alveopora species, I've given up. The colony I have now is probably the last I purchase until solid breakthroughs are made.

I attribute the recent successes with Gonioporas, to the ability to feed them aggressively. No article, thread or post comes to mind, where a reefer has reported feeding Alveoporas. Sure, they may absorb nutrients directly from the water column, but that is clearly passive feeding at best. Maybe I'll try a Goniopora, since I don't mind target feeding :scratch:

 

[cali_reef]

Phil, does this looked bleached?

http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=19080&stc=1&d=1172208767

 

[Deanos]

That's goniopora

 

[cali_reef]

That's goniopora

I know, just want his opinion if it is losing color.

 

[Deanos]

To determine if it's losing color, wouldn't before and after photos need to be compared :smash:

 

[DevIouS]

:sleepy:

 

[cali_reef]

To determine if it's losing color, wouldn't before and after photos need to be compared :smash:

It's been that way for a month and the previous had it for another month or two. Losing color is not the right term I should have used, I am interested to know if it is "bleached"

 

[DevIouS]

I've kept 1 Gonio & got rid of it asap, as it was pretty big for my tank. I wasn't aware of it's needs & hardiness at the time (impulse buy in the beginning).

I can't give you my honest opinion on something I didn't have first hand experience with, don't know much about or have not seen it's original morph.
Maybe I'll get a Gonio too & I can answer your ? in a few years.

IMO, Gonio's have many morphs / species.
I will say no, it is not bleached. It does looks healthy. The tentacles are colored as opposed to being all white (but that's just me talking out of my @ss).

It is pretty, though.


Dibs!


I would check this article:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/dec2002/invert.htm




& as per the link muntai supplied about Gonio's, your looks like it might be:

Goniopora tenuidens

Light: Moderate to High
Flow: Low
Food: DT's Oyster eggs, Cyclop-eeze, Liquid Life Plankton w/ Cyclop-eeze, food mix

Note:
There is an all white Alveopora morph, but that is not the case with Lissa's specimen.
To me, it has gotten lighter & the problem also lies with it having "deadspots."

 

[ReeferGoneMad]

I have the same species. That I attained from 1000 island. Being I have a stokesi at home already I felt bad for it and took it in. When I got it it was near death and only had nubs no tentacles, it was even receding. I have never feed it and its been in my system for 2 months. Its recovering over time and now has tentacles. Cali's goniopora doesn't look bleach, it actually looks as though its doing better. Mine is white with purple polyps and the white makes it look bleached but its not.