Goniopora

Taxonavigation Kingdom: Animalia Sub Kingdom: Eumetazoa Super Phylum: Radiata Phylum: Cnidaria Class: Anthozoa Sub Class: Hexacorallia Order: Scleractinia Family: Poritidae Genus: Goniopora Group: Goniopora (Group 1) - Goniopora (Group 2) - Goniopora (Group 3) - Goniopora (Group 4) - Goniopora (Group 5) - Goniopora (Group 6)

Introduction

Commonly referred to as Golf Ball or Flower Pot Coral. Very difficult to keep species with a poor record in captivity. Generally 12-18 months is the limit for keeping them, and often far less.

Classification

The Goniopora genus is divided into six groups based on the growth form and corallite size;

• Group 1: massive species with large corallites, >5mm
• Group 2: branching or clumnar species with large corallites, >5mm
• Group 3: encrusting species
• Group 4: massive species with medium corallites, 3-5mm
• Group 5: branching or columnar species with medium corallites, 3-5mm
• Group 6: species with small corallites, <3mm

Gallery

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  G. tenella
  
  Group: Goniopora (Group 3)
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  Infestation of coral eating flatworms
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Resources

• Gonipora Success!? by Rob Toonen - Reefs.org
• The Mystery of Goniopora by Eric Borneman - AquariumNet
• Goniopora Revisited: If We Could Keep It Alive, Do We Really Want To? by Eric Borneman - Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine
• The Care and Propagation of Goniopora by Justin Credabel - Reefkeeping Magazine
• The Successful Aquarium Culture of Goniopora Species by Justin Credabel - Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine
• Captive husbandry of Goniopora spp. with remarks about the similar genus Alveopora by Julian Sprung - Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine
• Goniopora Revisited by Terry Siegel - Aquarium Frontiers
• Goniopora aka Flower Pot Coral