How to Care for Goniopora Corals in Your Reef Tank
- , by Mark Davis
- 2 min reading time
Goniopora corals are stunning LPS corals with long flowing polyps. Learn the ideal care conditions to keep them thriving, including lighting, flow, feeding, and water parameters.
What Are Goniopora Corals?
Goniopora (commonly called Flowerpot Corals) are large polyp stony (LPS) corals known for their long, flowing polyps that sway hypnotically in the current. Collector varieties like the Grandmaster Goniopora and Hollywood Nights Goniopora are among the most prized corals in the hobby for their vivid colors and dramatic movement.
Once considered difficult to keep, modern reef-keeping techniques have made Goniopora much more manageable — and incredibly rewarding.
Lighting
Goniopora prefer moderate light — 80–150 PAR. Too much light can bleach their fleshy tissue, while too little will cause polyps to stay retracted. Place them in the mid to lower sections of your tank and acclimate slowly if moving from lower to higher light.
Flow
Use moderate, indirect flow. Goniopora love gentle, random water movement that causes their long polyps to sway naturally. Avoid direct, high-powered flow which will cause them to retract and stress the coral. Wavemakers set to a gentle pulse work well.
Feeding
Goniopora are active feeders and respond well to regular target feeding. Offer:
- Reef Roids
- Goniopower
- Phytoplankton
Feed 2–3 times per week, turning off flow pumps for 15–30 minutes to allow the polyps to capture food. Regular feeding significantly improves growth rate and coloration.
Water Parameters
- Temperature: 76–80°F (24–27°C)
- Salinity: 1.025–1.026 SG
- Alkalinity: 8–9 dKH
- Calcium: 400–450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1350–1450 ppm
- Nitrates: 10–20 ppm
- Phosphates: 0.05–0.10 ppm
Stability is critical for Goniopora. Sudden swings in alkalinity or salinity are a common cause of decline.
Placement
Place Goniopora on open sandy substrate or a low rock ledge where their long polyps can extend freely without touching neighboring corals. Give them plenty of space — their sweeper tentacles can reach several inches and will sting nearby corals.
Common Issues
- Polyps not extending: Usually caused by poor water quality, too much flow, or stress from shipping. Give it 1–2 weeks to settle. Or it could be something different like parasitic copepods, which require a special treatment to eradicate them using milbemycin.
- Tissue recession: Often linked to alkalinity swings or bacterial infection. Check parameters and consider a coral dip.
- Bleaching: Too much light or a sudden temperature spike. Move to a shadier spot and check your heater/chiller.
- Rapid tissue necrosis (RTN): Act fast — frag healthy tissue immediately and treat with a coral dip.
Collector Varieties
Reefverse carries some of the most stunning Goniopora morphs available, including:
- Grandmaster Goniopora — rich, deep coloration with exceptional polyp extension
- Infinity Stone Goniopora — rare glitter with jaw dropping coloration
- Hollywood Nights Goniopora — a showstopper with vivid contrasting colors
These collector pieces thrive under the same care parameters but reward patient, attentive reefers with unmatched visual impact.
Ready to Add Goniopora to Your Reef?
Browse our hand-selected LPS corals at Reefverse — chosen for health, color, and quality.