Goniopora lobata Care Guide
Goniopora lobata is a flowerpot LPS coral forming hemispherical colonies or short columns with elongate polyps; relatively hardy and often green or brown.
Overview
Goniopora lobata is a colonial stony coral of the family Poritidae, described by Milne Edwards in 1860. Like other Goniopora it is a flowerpot coral with daisy-like polyps each tipped by 24 tentacles. Colonies are hemispherical or, more usually, form short thick columns, with polyps that are elongate when fully extended and small oral cones. Colour is usually brown, yellow or green, often with contrasting oral cones and tentacle tips.
Taxonomy
- Family: Poritidae
- Order: Scleractinia
- Genus: Goniopora
- Scientific name: Goniopora lobata
- Authority: Milne Edwards, 1860
Habitat
The species is described as common and forms large single-species stands, especially in turbid water. Goniopora corals generally inhabit lagoons and turbid environments across the Indo-Pacific.
Reef parameters
- Type: LPS (large-polyp stony) coral, massive growth
- 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
Goniopora lobata hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae and is an active feeder like the rest of its genus. It is considered relatively hardy. Spot-feeding with mysis and planktonic foods supports growth, and gentle flow that is not directed at the polyps allows them to extend fully.
Compatibility
The coral is reef-safe with fish and shrimp but moderately aggressive toward neighbouring corals, so it needs open space around the colony. A reasonably mature tank of about six months or older provides the stable conditions it prefers.