Alveopora

Alveopora is a genus of coral that looks almost identical to Goniopora and opens its long-stalked polyps during the day. The most reliable way to tell them apart is to count the tentacles: each Alveopora polyp has 12 short, rounded tentacles resembling flower petals; Goniopora has about 24. Despite its appearance, it belongs to the family Acroporidae. It is known to stay healthy longer than Goniopora in the aquarium. Its trade is subject to CITES Appendix II; choose an aquacultured frag.

• Light: Moderate, about 60–200 PAR; start with low light and increase it gradually.
• Flow: Low to moderate, indirect and variable; the polyps should sway gently.
• Placement: The middle or lower zone of the rockwork.
• Water parameters: Salinity 1.024–1.026, KH 7–10 dKH, calcium 400–450 mg/L, magnesium 1250–1350 mg/L; do not strip nutrients to zero (nitrate 5–10 mg/L).

It is photosynthetic, but its small polyps like to feed on fine foods. Several times a week, offer phytoplankton, copepods or powdered coral food with the flow turned down slightly.

Its long polyps sting; leave at least 10 cm between it and neighboring corals. Do not place it within reach of aggressive LPS. Clownfish and dwarf angelfish can wear down the polyps.