LPS
Goniopora
Goniopora spp.
Also sold as Flower pot coral, Goni
- Type
- LPS
- Care level
- Intermediate to advanced (historically one of the hardest)
- Light
- 75 to 200 PAR (medium)
- Flow
- Medium
- With neighbours
- Spreads or stings mildly
Safety: handling goniopora
Low hazard
How do you care for goniopora?
Placement
Mid to low, open space; may need moving until fully open
Flow
Moderate and varied; too much makes polyps retract, too little lets detritus smother them
Feeding
Fine foods (phytoplankton, zooplankton) a couple of times a week
Growth
Slow to moderate
Water quality
Stable parameters and low nutrients; small frequent water changes. Avoid freshly fragged pieces (infection risk)
How much light does it need?
Sources put it at about 75 to 200 PAR, measured where the coral sits. Start a new coral at the low end and raise it over weeks.
Moderate light works; change slowly. Retail listings moderate to high.
Which neighbours are safe?
Some varieties have long sweepers; may sting other Goniopora
At least 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in)
Fish
Fish known to nip this group of corals, or small enough to be caught by it.
Take care (9)
- Lawnmower blennyLawnmower blenny may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Bicolor blennyBicolor blenny may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Tailspot blennyTailspot blenny may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Coral beautyCoral beauty may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Flame angelfishFlame angelfish may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Cherub angelfishCherub angelfish may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Foxface rabbitfishFoxface rabbitfish may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Moorish idolMoorish idol may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Copperband butterflyfishCopperband butterflyfish may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
Other corals
Corals that can harm this one if placed too close.
Take care (10)
- Hammer coralHammer coral stings neighbours up to about 15 cm away at night; keep the goniopora out of reach.
- Frogspawn coralFrogspawn coral stings neighbours; keep the goniopora out of reach.
- Torch coralTorch coral stings neighbours; keep the goniopora out of reach.
- GalaxeaGalaxea stings neighbours up to about 15 cm away at night; keep the goniopora out of reach.
- Horn coralHorn coral stings neighbours; keep the goniopora out of reach.
- Fire coral (not Acropora millepora)Fire coral (not Acropora millepora) stings neighbours; keep the goniopora out of reach.
- Bubble tip anemoneBubble tip anemone stings neighbours; keep the goniopora out of reach.
- Mini maxiMini maxi stings neighbours; keep the goniopora out of reach.
- Carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant)Carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the goniopora out of reach.
- Ritteri anemoneRitteri anemone stings neighbours; keep the goniopora out of reach.
Invertebrates
Invertebrates that may nip corals when hungry.
Take care (3)
- Emerald crabSome emerald crabs nip corals when hungry.
- Peppermint shrimpSome peppermint shrimps nip corals when hungry.
- Camel shrimpSome camel shrimps nip corals when hungry.
These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.
Pests, dips and quarantine
Nudibranchs and flatworms in bare areas or underneath
Iodine dip after fragging
No dip reliably kills pest eggs, so a dip lowers the risk rather than removing it. Inspect new frags with a torch after lights out, including the underside and the plug.
Disagreement: retailers still call it not for beginners while Reef Builders says care is now similar to other LPS. Aquacultured, already growing strains are the lower-risk buy. Easier look-alike: Alveopora (12 tentacles per polyp vs 24).
Where sources disagree
| Topic | What sources say | Our reading |
|---|---|---|
| Notes |
| Sources differ here, so we give the range and the reasons rather than one number. |
Sources
Last checked . How we check
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Related corals
Hammer coral
Fimbriaphyllia ancora (formerly Euphyllia ancora); branching forms include F. paraancora
- Care
- Intermediate
- Light
- Medium
- Flow
- Medium
- Neighbours
- Stings neighbours
Photo Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Frogspawn coral
Fimbriaphyllia divisa (formerly Euphyllia divisa)
- Care
- Intermediate
- Light
- Medium
- Flow
- Medium
- Neighbours
- Stings neighbours
Photo Gdiggers, CC BY-SA 3.0
Torch coral
Euphyllia glabrescens (also E. yaeyamaensis)
- Care
- Advanced
- Light
- Medium
- Flow
- Medium
- Neighbours
- Stings neighbours
Photo Josuevg, CC BY-SA 3.0
Duncan coral
Duncanopsammia axifuga
- Care
- Beginner
- Light
- Medium
- Flow
- Medium
- Neighbours
- Peaceful
Photo Kinkreet, CC BY-SA 3.0