Alveopora (Daisy Coral)
Looking for the beautiful, swaying movement of a Flowerpot coral but want something a bit more forgiving? The Alveopora, affectionately known as the "Daisy Coral," is a spectacular Large Polyp Stony (LPS) coral that brings incredible life and motion to your reef tank.
While it looks nearly identical to its cousin, the Goniopora, there is a secret to telling them apart: count the "petals." Alveopora polyps feature exactly 12 delicate, flower-like tentacles. They often boast stunning pastel colourations—ranging from mint greens and soft pinks to icy blues with contrasting, bright centers. As their long, fleshy stems extend during the day, they catch the current to create a hypnotic, waving bouquet of underwater flowers.
At UKReef Hampshire, we highly recommend Alveopora for reefers who want that high-end, classic "swaying" aesthetic, but want a coral with a slightly hardier track record than standard Goniopora!
Quick Care Guide:
Care Level: Moderate. They are generally considered easier and more forgiving than Goniopora, making them a fantastic stepping stone for reefers looking to keep "Flowerpot" style corals.
Temperament: Peaceful. Unlike Goniopora, Alveopora do not pack a potent sting and lack long sweeper tentacles. However, you should still give them enough clear space to fully extend without rubbing against their neighbours.
Placement: Bottom to Middle. They thrive when placed on lower rockwork ledges or isolated on the sandbed where they have room to stretch upwards.
Lighting: Low to Moderate. They actually prefer slightly lower lighting than many other LPS corals. If placed directly under intense, high-end reef lights, their polyps will tightly retract and they may begin to bleach.
Water Flow: Gentle to Moderate. The golden rule is a soft, randomized sway! They need just enough current to keep their polyps moving and clean. If the flow is too strong and direct, it will violently whip them around and can tear their delicate flesh against their stony base.
Feeding: Highly Recommended. While fully photosynthetic, they are active micro-plankton feeders. Turning off your pumps 1-2 times a week and gently target-feeding them a fine powder food (like Reef Roids) will dramatically increase their polyp extension, coloration, and overall growth.