Goniopora (Flowerpot Corals)
Looking to add mesmerizing, hypnotic movement to your reef tank? Goniopora, affectionately known in the hobby as "Flowerpot Corals," are some of the most spectacular and sought-after Large Polyp Stony (LPS) corals available.
Famous for their long, elegant polyps that extend deep into the water column, a happy Goniopora looks like a vibrant, swaying bouquet of underwater flowers. Each individual polyp is crowned with exactly 24 delicate tentacles that catch the flow, bringing a massive sense of motion and life to the lower and middle sections of your aquascape. Available in a breathtaking rainbow of colours—from deep, velvety reds and metallic greens to ultra-rare "glitter" and bi-colour morphs—they are an absolute showpiece for any reef.
At UKReef Hampshire, we pride ourselves on resting and conditioning our Goniopora to ensure they are healthy, eating well, and ready to thrive in your home aquarium.
Quick Care Guide:
Care Level: Moderate to Advanced. While historically considered challenging, modern reef keeping and high-quality coral foods have made keeping Goniopora highly successful. They require a mature tank with stable Alkalinity, Calcium, and Magnesium.
Temperament: Aggressive. Do not let their delicate appearance fool you! Those long flowing polyps pack a potent sting. Give them plenty of room to stretch out without touching neighboring corals.
Placement: Bottom to Middle. They thrive when placed on the sandbed or on lower rock ledges where they have plenty of vertical room to expand.
Lighting: Moderate. They prefer gentle to moderate lighting (around 100–150 PAR). If placed directly under intense, high-end SPS lights, they may bleach or refuse to open.
Water Flow: Moderate and Random. This is the secret to a happy Goniopora! They need enough flow to keep their tentacles gently waving and to prevent detritus from settling on their base, but if the flow is too direct or harsh, they will tightly retract their polyps.
Feeding: Essential. Goniopora are incredibly active feeders and rely heavily on capturing food. To achieve explosive growth and vibrant colours, turn off your flow 2-3 times a week and target-feed them a high-quality micro-plankton powder (like Reef Roids or dedicated Goniopower).