Bicolor Colored Goniopora - Goniopora sp.

Flower Pot Corals are tempting, spectacular corals in the aquarium. However, their long term survival is dependent on the right conditions. Only the advanced reef aquarist should attempt keeping this species of coral.

Expanded, this coral forms a ball of large tentacles, looking much like a blooming bunch of flowers. Most commonly found in shades of green or tan, rare specimens are found in red and purple. Branching structures are also sometimes found with the colonies on the ends of thick, bulbous branches.

Goniopora sp. corals are very closely related to another group of corals, Alveopora sp., with the primary difference being tentacle length and the number of fringes around the rim of each tentacle. Goniopora sp. corals usually have longer tentacles and 24 fringes around each rim while Alveopora sp. only has 12. Alveopora sp. also usually has a more opaque color than the more translucent Goniopora sp.. Both may be known as Flower Pot Corals.

Place this coral in medium to high light and medium water movement. Make sure that the coral is secure, as it is prone to falling when expanded.

Occasionally, a clownfish may attempt to host in Goniopora sp. corals since their appearance in the water resembles an anemone. This often results in damage to or even loss of the coral since the clownfish's actions often damage the flesh of the coral where it is rubbed against the coral's skeleton.