Rosette Blossom Goniopora (Goniopora spp.)
Quick Stats
- Care Level: Moderate to Difficult
- Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
- Colour Form: Soft Pink with Delicate, Flowing Polyps
- Water Conditions: 24-26°C, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
- Family: Poritidae
- Lighting: Moderate
- Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Manganese, Amino Acids, Trace Elements
- Water Flow: Low to Moderate
- Placement: Bottom to Middle
Overview
The Rosette Blossom Goniopora is a captivating coral, recognized for its delicate pink polyps that sway elegantly in the current like a field of underwater flowers. With its unique, daisy-like appearance and gentle motion, this coral adds an element of grace and sophistication to any reef tank. Under actinic lighting, its soft pastel hues glow with an ethereal beauty, making it a true showpiece for collectors.
Care & Feeding
Goniopora corals are known for their long, flowing polyps, which require low to moderate, indirect water flow to prevent damage while allowing for natural movement. While they are partially photosynthetic, target feeding is highly recommended. Offering a mix of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and reef-specific micro foods multiple times per week will boost its health, growth, and polyp extension.
Maintaining stable calcium, magnesium, and essential trace elements—particularly iron and manganese—is crucial for long-term success with Goniopora corals.
Optimal Parameters
- Alkalinity (dKH): 8-12
- Calcium (Ca): 400-450 ppm
- Magnesium (Mg): 1250-1350 ppm
- Nitrate (NO3): 5-15 ppm
- Phosphate (PO4): 0.03-0.08 ppm
- Iron (Fe) & Manganese (Mn): Essential for polyp health
Placement
The Rosette Blossom Goniopora thrives when placed in the bottom to middle sections of the reef tank, where it can receive moderate lighting and gentle, indirect water flow. Due to its semi-aggressive nature, it can extend sweeper tentacles, so leaving space between it and neighboring corals is advised.
With its soft, billowing pink polyps, hypnotic movement, and delicate beauty, the Rosette Blossom Goniopora is a must-have for aquarists looking to add a dreamy, floral aesthetic to their reef aquarium!