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Short-polyp flowerpot coral

Goniopora columna

Also known as Flowerpot Coral, Daisy Coral, Australian Goniopora, Column Goniopora, Short Tentacle Goniopora

SaltwaterCoral

Short-polyp flowerpot coral (Goniopora columna)
Hectonichus · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
26 gal
100 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Hard
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Poritidae
Origin
Occurs on Indo-Pacific reefs including hardier Australian populations, growing on slopes and lagoon rock.

Overview

The short-polyp flowerpot coral is a peaceful flowerpot coral for the lower part of a reef tank. It is a step up for keepers with some large polyp stony experience.

Did you know

Aquacultured Australian flowerpot corals like the short-polyp flowerpot coral have a much better survival record than wild long-polyp Goniopora. The long-polyp types spent decades with a reputation as almost unkeepable.

Caring for the short-polyp flowerpot coral

Give the short-polyp flowerpot coral moderate light, around 100 to 200 PAR, and moderate flow. Anchor it on rock, and leave room for the polyps to open fully.

Keep it in a reef of at least 26 gal (100 L). Hold the water at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and the pH at 8.1 to 8.4, with stable alkalinity and nutrients. It is hardier than Goniopora stokesi and tolerates minor parameter swings better than the delicate long-polyp types. It still responds well to regular feedings of fine plankton and amino acids.

Good to know

The short-polyp flowerpot coral, Goniopora columna, is a large polyp stony coral in the family Poritidae. It is named for its column-shaped growth, a columnar or mounding skeleton that fixes to rock. Its polyps are shorter and more compact than those of Goniopora stokesi, so the head is tighter and less flowing. Each polyp still waves gently and carries a ring of tentacles around its mouth. Aquacultured and Australian pieces are often bright green or two-tone, and the colony keeps the daisy-bed look on a firmer base. Like all Goniopora, it hosts zooxanthellae.

In the wild

The short-polyp flowerpot coral occurs on Indo-Pacific reefs, including hardier Australian populations. It grows on slopes and lagoon rock.

Common questions

What size tank does a short-polyp flowerpot coral need?

A short-polyp flowerpot coral needs at least 26 gal (100 L).

What temperature and pH does a short-polyp flowerpot coral need?

A short-polyp flowerpot coral is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a short-polyp flowerpot coral eat?

A short-polyp flowerpot coral responds well to regular feedings of fine plankton and amino acids.

How big does a short-polyp flowerpot coral get?

An adult short-polyp flowerpot coral reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

Related species