Alveopora

Alveopora are closely related to Goniopora and share a similar appearance, but they are generally considered hardier and more forgiving — making them an excellent stepping stone if you’ve been eyeing flowerpot corals. The easiest way to distinguish them is by counting tentacles: Alveopora have twelve per polyp, while Goniopora have twenty-four. Provide moderate PAR lighting (75–150 PAR) and gentle to moderate flow. Place them in the mid-section of your tank where they have room for their polyps to extend fully.

Stable water parameters are essential: alkalinity 7.5–8.5 dKH, calcium 400–440 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, and temperature 25–26 °C. Like Goniopora, Alveopora benefit enormously from regular target feeding — offer fine particulate foods, phytoplankton, or powdered coral foods two to three times weekly. The polyps are enthusiastic feeders and you’ll notice improved extension and colour with consistent nutrition.

Alveopora are peaceful corals that won’t sting neighbours, though their extended polyps can reach surprisingly far. They propagate well from frags cut through the skeleton with a band saw, and recovery tends to be faster than Goniopora. Australian aquacultured specimens are increasingly available and are your best bet for long-term success in local water conditions.