Goniopora djiboutiensis Care Guide
Goniopora djiboutiensis is a flowerpot LPS coral forming submassive or columnar colonies with long-stalked polyps; more forgiving than G. stokesi.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Goniopora djiboutiensis is a colonial stony coral of the family Poritidae, described by Vaughan in 1907. Like all members of the genus it is a flowerpot coral whose daisy-like polyps each carry 24 tentacles. Colonies are submassive or form short thick columns, and may build large single-species stands in turbid water. The coral is pale or dark brown or green; its oral cones are usually white or blue and may photograph as pink. Its polyps have smaller heads and shorter tentacles than some related species.
Taxonomy
- Family: Poritidae
- Order: Scleractinia
- Genus: Goniopora
- Scientific name: Goniopora djiboutiensis
- Authority: Vaughan, 1907
Habitat
The species occurs in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea region and is described as common. It favours turbid-water environments where it can form large single-species stands. Goniopora corals as a group typically inhabit lagoons and turbid water across the Indo-Pacific.
Reef parameters
- Type: LPS (large-polyp stony) coral, polyp-bouquet form
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Alkalinity (KH): 8-11 dKH
- Calcium: 400-450 ppm
- Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
- Lighting: 75-175 PAR (medium)
- Flow: low
Feeding
This coral hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae and feeds actively, like the rest of the genus. It is regarded as more approachable than G. stokesi and tolerates somewhat higher nutrient levels. Spot-feeding with mysis, planktonic foods and similar small foods supports its energy needs; flow should be gentle and not aimed directly at the polyps.
Compatibility
The species is reef-safe with fish and shrimp but moderately aggressive toward neighbouring corals, so it requires clear space around the colony. A reasonably mature tank (about six months or older) suits it better than a newly cycled system.
Goniopora djiboutiensis Propagation Guide
Overview
Goniopora djiboutiensis is a flowerpot coral in the family Poritidae, recognized for its long-stalked polyps. Like the rest of the genus, each daisy-like polyp carries about 24 tentacles around a central mouth, the feature that separates Goniopora from the twelve-tentacle Alveopora.
Reproductive Mode
The genus reproduces sexually by spawning, with captive observations indicating hermaphroditic release of egg-and-sperm bundles and planula larvae that settle within days, and asexually through budding and fragmentation.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Propagation is by fragmenting the colony into pieces that each carry living polyps, then mounting them. Outcomes with cut Goniopora are mixed, and growers consistently report that beginning with fragged, aquacultured stock rather than wild colonies is the most reliable route to success.
- Cut the colony cleanly into pieces that each keep healthy polyps.
- Mount frags and allow tissue to recover.
- Prefer fragged or aquacultured stock over wild-collected colonies.
Conditions for Propagation
Frags recover best in stable water with medium light and gentle flow. Periodic feeding supports the colony, and aquacultured pieces adapt more readily than freshly imported wild specimens.
Common Challenges
Although G. djiboutiensis is regarded as somewhat more approachable than G. stokesi, the genus as a whole carries a history of slow captive decline. Improved aquaculture has raised success rates, but Goniopora remains a demanding coral best attempted with established stock.