© Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0Goniopora Stokesi
Goniopora Stokesi is a stony coral in the Gonioporidae family, known for its long, feathery polyps that unfurl like a bouquet of flowers. Rather than cementing itself to the reef, it forms a dome-shaped colony that rests loosely on the sandy substrate, giving it a distinctive, free-form presence in the aquarium. One of its more unusual traits is that daughter colonies bud directly from the surface of the parent colony, so keepers can watch the coral gradually multiply over time. Because it calls for careful, stable conditions, this species is best suited to experienced reefkeepers.
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Goniopora Stokesi key facts
- Care level
- Advanced
- Size
- Colonies from about 10 cm to several tens of cm
- Temperature
- 24〜26℃
- Diet
- Nutrition from symbiotic zooxanthellae, plus regular feeding with fine zooplankton foods and phytoplankton.
- Lighting
- LiveAquaria gives moderate to high lighting for Goniopora, but in the wild it grows in turbid water, so raise the intensity in stages rather than exposing it to strong light at once.
- Flow & Placement
- LiveAquaria calls for strong flow, but this species grows on quiet sandy bottoms, so do not overdo it. Because it does not attach, settle it stably on sand or fix it to a dedicated base.
- Water Temperature & Quality
- Water 24-26C, specific gravity 1.023-1.025, salinity 33-35 ppt, KH 8-12. It is hard to keep long term, and the key is to hold alkalinity and calcium steady.
- Feeding
- Zooxanthellae alone tend not to sustain it. Feeding fine zooplankton foods and phytoplankton a few times a week keeps polyp extension consistent.
- Notes
- It is easy to obtain but notoriously hard to keep, and many colonies stop extending their polyps over a few months. As a scleractinian it is on CITES Appendix II and international trade requires permits.
About Goniopora Stokesi
Goniopora Stokesi is an advanced-level stony coral in the Gonioporidae family, prized for its flower-like polyps and free-lying, dome-shaped colonies that bud new colonies from their surface.
7 things to know before welcoming a Goniopora Stokesi
1Advanced Care Difficulty
Goniopora Stokesi is considered an advanced-level coral, tending to be sensitive to shifts in water quality, lighting, and flow. It's best kept by aquarists who already have coral-keeping experience.
2Free-Lying, Not Attached
Unlike many corals, this species doesn't cement itself to rock or substrate — its dome-shaped colony simply rests on the sand. Because it can shift during water flow or maintenance, give some thought to where you place it.
3Polyps That Bloom Like Flowers
The coral's biggest appeal is its long polyps, which extend and open like a bouquet of flowers. How fully the polyps extend day to day can also be a useful sign of its overall health and tank conditions.
4Colonies Reach Tens of Centimeters
Mature colonies can grow to a diameter ranging from roughly ten to several dozen centimeters. Plan for a tank with enough open space to accommodate this eventual size.
5New Colonies Bud Naturally
A distinctive trait of this species is that daughter colonies bud directly from the surface of the parent colony. Watching the colony gradually multiply over time is part of the appeal.
6Best Placed on Sand
Rather than being mounted on rockwork, this coral is typically kept resting on the sand bed. Consider nearby corals and water flow direction when choosing its spot.
7Prepare Your Setup First
Since this is an advanced-level coral, make sure your water quality, lighting, and flow are stable before bringing one home. Consulting an experienced keeper while you prepare can help.
Frequently asked questions about Goniopora Stokesi
- Q.Is this coral suitable for beginners?
- A.Goniopora Stokesi is considered an advanced-level coral. It's best to gain some coral-keeping experience with water quality and lighting management before adding this species.
- Q.How large does it grow?
- A.Colonies typically reach a diameter of roughly ten to several dozen centimeters. It's a good idea to leave extra room in your tank layout for this growth.
- Q.Does it need to be attached to rock?
- A.No, this species doesn't cement itself to the substrate — its colony rests loosely on the sand. There's no need to glue it to rockwork; keeping it on the sand bed is the standard approach.
- Q.Can it multiply over time?
- A.Yes, a key trait of this species is that daughter colonies bud from the surface of the parent colony. You can watch the number of colonies gradually increase over time.
- Q.Is it regulated under CITES?
- A.Goniopora Stokesi is listed in CITES Appendix II. International trade requires a permit from the exporting country, but as far as CITES is concerned, no registration is needed to buy or sell individuals already legally in Japan.
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Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.
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