Goniopora stokesi (Flowerpot Coral) Care Guide
Goniopora stokesi is a free-living flowerpot LPS coral with daisy-like polyps tipped by 24 tentacles; historically difficult, now improved by aquaculture.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Goniopora stokesi is a colonial stony coral of the family Poritidae, described by Milne-Edwards and Haime in 1851. Members of the genus Goniopora are known as flowerpot or daisy corals, forming numerous daisy-like polyps that extend from the colony, each polyp tipped with 24 tentacles. Colonies of G. stokesi are hemispherical and usually free-living rather than firmly attached, often bearing satellite daughter colonies that have not yet budded off.
Taxonomy
- Family: Poritidae
- Order: Scleractinia
- Genus: Goniopora
- Scientific name: Goniopora stokesi
- Authority: Milne-Edwards & Haime, 1851
Habitat
The species is found widely across the northern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific, from Madagascar and the Gulf of Aden through the Maldives and southern India, the East Indies, Japan and northern Western Australia to the Great Barrier Reef. It lives on sandy bottoms in turbid, relatively still waters, reported mainly at depths of 9-20 m and less commonly between 3 and 30 m.
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
Goniopora carries symbiotic zooxanthellae but is also an avid feeder, and the genus has historically been difficult to sustain on light alone. Modern aquaculture and feeding practice have greatly improved success rates. Spot-feeding small foods such as mysis, planktonic foods and amino acids is recommended; gentle water movement that is not directed straight at the polyps helps them extend.
Compatibility
The coral is reef-safe with fish and shrimp but is moderately aggressive toward neighbours, so it should be given space from other corals. Because it is demanding, a well-established tank of about a year or older is advised before keeping it.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened (2008 assessment). The aquarium trade has been cited as one factor placing the species under pressure, which makes aquacultured specimens preferable.
Goniopora stokesi Propagation Guide
Overview
Goniopora stokesi is a flowerpot coral in the family Poritidae, a colonial stony coral whose daisy-like polyps are each tipped with around 24 tentacles surrounding a central mouth. It is among the most familiar flowerpots in the trade and is the species best known for forming free, ball-shaped daughter colonies.
Reproductive Mode
Goniopora reproduces sexually and asexually. Observed captive spawning has shown the corals to be hermaphroditic, releasing egg-and-sperm bundles whose planula larvae settle a few days later. Asexually, the genus increases by budding and by producing daughter colonies.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
G. stokesi is distinctive in forming detachable daughter colonies: small balls of tissue and skeleton that develop on the parent and separate as independent corals, drifting or rolling free in the tank. Beyond this natural budding, the colony can also be propagated by cutting it into pieces, though success is mixed. Reef growers report that starting with fragged, aquacultured stock has been central to their long-term success with the genus.
- Allow naturally forming daughter colonies to detach, then place them on rubble.
- For deliberate fragging, cut the colony cleanly and mount the pieces.
- Begin with fragged or aquacultured stock for better odds than wild colonies.
Conditions for Propagation
Stable water with medium light, gentle flow and some heterotrophic feeding supports both daughter-colony development and frag recovery. Aquacultured specimens adapt to aquarium conditions more readily than freshly collected wild ones.
Common Challenges
Goniopora was historically considered nearly impossible to keep long term, with hit-or-miss survival and many colonies slowly declining. Modern aquaculture and the practice of starting from fragged colonies have markedly improved outcomes, but the genus remains demanding and is not recommended for beginners.