My coral is being suffocated!

[nhelw1]

Hi guys. Check out the picture attached. The algae started growing all of a sudden on steroids! I feel like the coral is being strangled. What's the best way to get it off without damaging the coral?

 

[AquaRick]

I think more importantly is that this particular goniopora coral is on its deathbed. These corals are particularly more difficult to care for than most corals. Was the coral tissue receding like this when you purchased it?

 

[nhelw1]

No He was given to me about a year ago. He was all fine. All the water parameters are fine everything else is blooming and growing but him. The previous owner had him for about 4 years.thanks for the quick reply.

 

[AquaRick]

Here's some info on keeping goni's alive and background info:

The Care and Propagation of Goniopora by Justin Credabel - Reefkeeping.com

This should come in handy. How are your trates and phosphates specifically?

 

[nhelw1]

I tested two days ago. Water change happening today.
Trates were both null and phosphate was .08 tiny bit high but they drop with water change.

 

[nhelw1]

That's a great read btw!!

 

[AquaRick]

Since your water levels are pretty decent, I would look to feeding. What kind of food have your been feeding your Goni? IME they should be treated more like an NPS coral than an LPS in regards to target feeding etc.

 

[nhelw1]

I feed cyclop ease and rofiters to the tank but I spot feed the other corals. Should I spot feed the goni?
I feed my fish pellets should I ease them to frozen?

 

[AquaRick]

Goni's should be target fed, yes. Pellets for fish are fine. From what others around me have said, Gonipower is great stuff. You may want to look into it.

Two Little Fishies Goniopower - Advanced Zooplankton Diet