Red Goniopora

Red Goniopora is one of the most sought-after modern LPS, thanks to its vivid crimson tentacles and hypnotic sway. Today’s aquacultured strains are far hardier than the historical reputation of “Goniopora = impossible,” but they still appreciate stable water and thoughtful placement.

Lighting

Moderate light is ideal, usually 80 to 150 PAR. Too little and the red loses intensity. Too much and the polyps shorten or retract. Goniopora color up beautifully under balanced spectrums rather than extreme high-intensity blue.

Flow

Moderate, indirect, and rolling. This coral loves motion that keeps the tentacles drifting gently without blasting the tissue. Strong jets can cause retraction, while too little flow leads to film buildup and irritation on the polyp bases.

Placement

Lower to mid rockwork or sandbed, depending on your aquascape. Red Goniopora prefers open space so its long polyps can expand fully. Avoid tight spots where tentacles touch rocks or other coral flesh.

Water parameters

Stable, nutrient-positive conditions work best.

Calcium around 420.
Alkalinity around 8 to 8.5.
Magnesium near 1350.
Nitrate 5 to 20.
Phosphate 0.05 to 0.1.

Goniopora dislike sudden changes, especially alkalinity dips. Mild nutrient availability helps maintain fuller polyp extension.

Feeding

They benefit from feeding. Small-particle foods such as phytoplankton, rotifers, or fine coral blends help support long-term growth and tissue thickness. Feed gently so food settles rather than blasts through the tentacles.

Growth behavior

Red gonis form compact mats that slowly expand outward. With good care, they develop lush, long tentacles with dense mouths and thick tissue. Fragmentation is possible but requires care because the skeleton is brittle.

Sensitivities

Prone to irritation from sediment, aggressive neighbors, and abrupt chemistry changes. Brown jelly disease can strike damaged tissue, so ensure clean, stable flow. Pest risk is low, but vermetid snails nearby can cause chronic retraction from filament irritation.

Compatibility

Peaceful but space-demanding. Give it a cushion around fleshy LPS and stinging torches. Its long tentacles are mostly harmless but sensitive to being touched by other corals. A calm zone with open flow lets it thrive.