Editorial: May 2006
This year’s IMAC (International Marine Aquarium Conference) held at the Crown Plaza hotel in Chicago was hugely successful – lots of people and exhibits. However, what captured my interest in particular was a lecture by John Kelly on how to be successful with Goniopora sp.,and LED (light emitting diodes) light fixtures. These fixtures may be the next significant technological development to come to our hobby. I have included a scan of the new company’s product information sheet. The manufacturer is sending one to Sanjay Joshi and Dana Riddle, who will test them and report back to us.
John Kelley has had significant success with various species of Goniopora, and in his talk outlined what it takes to achieve success with this animal – usually referred to by hobbyists as the flowerpot coral. I have asked him to send me an article on his technique. Some of the points that he made are:
- They require moderate light and water flow.
- They need to be acclimated slowly to light and water motion conditions.
- They need to be placed where their tissue (polyps) have plenty of expansion room.
- Most importantly, they must be fed. He feeds his crushed cyclopeeze, by first stimulating a feeding response, only to return in a few minutes with more phytoplankton when the animal is ready. He feeds his every three days.
I received this message yesterday,
Terry,
I hate to bother, but saw your posting on using a Chaetodon ulietensis to cure your Majano Anemone problem and had to ask your advice. As you can see from attached photos, I have an outbreak of these beasties that have taken over in areas of my tank. I was wondering if you've had any updates with the success of using the Butterfly to chow on the Majano. I'm leery for the sake that my tank consists mostly of Mushrooms and other soft polyps. I've used Joes Juice in the past, and it works well, but I've never been able to fully eliminate the problem (they come back with a vengeance within a few weeks). Are there any water quality issues that may encourage these pests. I've put in some Peppermint Shrimp which keep Aiptasia at bay quite nicely, unfortunately they don't do the same for the Majano! :-)
Best Regards,
Ken
There are a number of butterfly fish that will eat Manjano sp., like raccoon and threadfin butterfly fish, but none are reef safe. That being said, I think that the double saddleback butterfly (Chaetodon ulietensis) is the safest. The Waikiki Aquarium in Hawaii has had one in one of their reef tanks for many years. My experience has been excellent too, but there is no way of knowing what any individual fish might take a likening to. One thing is certain, the Manjano sp anemone must be eliminated or held in check in some way. They are a very invasive species and will destroy any reef tank if left alone. I should also point out that any butterfly fish that eats these invasive anemones can only eliminate those that it can reach. In the included photograph of Ken’s reef tank Majanos are plainly visible.
Contributors : Terry Siegel
Pomacanthus Publications, LLC
Last modified 2006-05-15 01:47
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Editorial: February 2007
