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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

Treat it as a step-up flowerpot coral for keepers with some large polyp stony experience, in a 100 liter or larger reef with moderate light around 100 to 200 PAR and moderate flow. Keep temperature 24 to 27 C, pH 8.1 to 8.4, and stable alkalinity and nutrients. It is hardier than Goniopora stokesi but still rewards regular feeding with fine plankton and amino acids. Anchor it on rock and leave room for the polyps to open fully.

In the wild

A flowerpot coral with shorter, more compact polyps than Goniopora stokesi, growing on a columnar or mounding skeleton that fixes to rock. The polyps still wave gently and each carries a ring of tentacles around its mouth, but the overall head is tighter and less flowing. Aquacultured and Australian pieces are often bright green or two-tone. It keeps the daisy-bed look while sitting on a firmer base.

Good to know

Goniopora columna is a large polyp stony coral in the family Poritidae, named for its column-shaped growth. It is one of the sturdier flowerpot species, tolerating minor parameter swings better than the delicate long-polyp types. Like all Goniopora it hosts zooxanthellae and feeds on fine plankton.

Did you know

Aquacultured Australian flowerpot corals like this one have a much better survival record than wild long-polyp Goniopora, which spent decades with a reputation as an almost unkeepable coral.

Common questions

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

A Short-polyp flowerpot coral needs at least 26 gal (100 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

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.

How big does a Short-polyp flowerpot coral get?

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

Related species