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🌼💗 Sunburst Petal Goni
Goniopora sp. (Yellow with Pink Eyes)
Quick Stats
Care Level: Moderate to Advanced
Temperament: Semi-aggressive (long sweeper tentacles)
Colour Form: Bright lemon-yellow polyps with striking bubblegum-pink centres (oral discs); long, flowing tentacles create a floral, kinetic bloom under blue and full-spectrum reef lighting.
Water Conditions: 24–27 °C, dKH 8–11, pH 8.0–8.4, sg 1.024–1.026
Family: Poritidae
Lighting: Moderate to high
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Trace Elements, Manganese
Water Flow: Moderate, random and indirect
Placement: Mid to lower reef zones with room to expand
🧬 Overview
The Sunburst Petal Goni is a dazzling morph of Goniopora sp., known for its luminous yellow tentacles and vivid pink oral discs that resemble blossoming wildflowers. It adds both intense colour and dynamic motion to the reef, making it a centrepiece in any LPS-dominated setup.
Gonioporas were once considered difficult to keep, but with improved understanding of their nutritional and water quality needs, this species now thrives in stable reef systems under the care of dedicated aquarists.
🍽️ Care & Feeding
While primarily photosynthetic, Gonioporas require regular supplemental feeding to maintain long-term health and vibrant polyp extension. Target feeding 2–3 times a week with a mix of microplankton, phytoplankton, and amino-acid-rich coral blends is highly recommended.
Ensure moderate, indirect flow to keep detritus from settling but avoid blasting the tissue directly. Monitor closely for signs of polyp retraction, which may indicate irritation or nutritional deficiency.
📈 Optimal Parameters
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Alkalinity (dKH): 8–11
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Calcium (Ca): 420–460 ppm
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Magnesium (Mg): 1250–1350 ppm
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Nitrate (NO₃): 5–15 ppm
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Phosphate (PO₄): 0.03–0.08 ppm
📍 Placement
Position in mid or lower areas of the reef, ensuring indirect light and flow. Leave space for tentacle extension and avoid placement near aggressive corals. This morph responds particularly well to blue-spectrum lighting, revealing its unique contrast between pastel pink and fluorescent yellow.
🌼💗 Sunburst Petal Goni
Like a field of glowing blossoms — radiant, delicate, and undeniably rare.