Daisy Coral Care Guide
Alveopora catalai, the Daisy Coral, is an LPS coral with 12-tentacle flower-like polyps and an easier alternative to Goniopora.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Alveopora catalai, nicknamed the Daisy Coral, is a large-polyp stony (LPS) coral. Its polyps bear 12 short, rounded tentacles that resemble flower petals, distinguishing the genus from Goniopora, which has 24 longer, wispier tentacles. The fleshy polyps are usually extended day and night.
Taxonomy
- Family: Acroporidae (reclassified from Poritidae)
- Genus: Alveopora (Blainville, 1830)
- Scientific name: Alveopora catalai
- Authority: Wells, 1968
Habitat
The genus is native to the Indo-Pacific and is often found on reef slopes in turbid water. Colonies grow on a very light, porous skeleton and host symbiotic zooxanthellae that supply energy through photosynthesis.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- Salinity: 1.024-1.026 SG
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- dKH (alkalinity): 8-11
- Calcium: 400-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Lighting: medium, around 75-175 PAR; benefits from less intense light
- Flow: low to moderate to protect fleshy polyps
Diet
Alveopora derives energy from photosynthesis but has a weak sting and low nematocyst concentration, so it captures little food from the water column. It benefits from regular feeding of fine foods such as mysis, reef-roids and phytoplankton in a mature tank of at least 6 months.
Compatibility
It is reef-safe, passive and compatible with reef fish and shrimp. Lacking strong stinging tentacles, it should be kept away from more aggressive corals that could overgrow or sting it.
Alveopora catalai (Daisy Coral): Propagation Guide
Overview
Alveopora is a genus of large-polyp stony corals native to the Indo-Pacific, often found on reef slopes in turbid water, where the genus remains generally uncommon. Colonies are either massive or branching and frequently have irregular shapes, built on a very light, porous skeleton of interconnecting rods and spines. The polyps are large, fleshy, and normally extended both day and night.
Reproductive Mode
Each Alveopora polyp possesses twelve tentacles, often with swollen knob-like tips, and the tissue carries symbiotic zooxanthellae. The twelve-tentacle count is the classic feature separating Alveopora from the superficially similar Goniopora, which bears twenty-four. In aquaria the practical route to new colonies is asexual division rather than sexual spawning.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Propagation is done by dividing a colony so each piece carries intact polyps and a section of the porous skeleton. Because the skeleton is light and brittle, fragments are taken along natural lobes or branches rather than sawn through dense rock. Mounted pieces should be kept in gentle conditions until the tissue seals to the new base.
Conditions for Propagation
Healing frags do best under the colony's own preferred conditions: medium light, low water movement that does not blast the fleshy polyps, and stable parameters. Strong direct flow can keep the polyps retracted and slow recovery.
Common Challenges
The chief challenges are mechanical damage to the porous skeleton during cutting and the genus's overall sensitivity, which makes it harder to keep than many LPS. Polyps that stay retracted for extended periods after fragging signal stress and unsuitable placement or water quality.