Alveopora coral (Alveopora spongiosa) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Alveopora, Flowerpot coral, Daisy coral, Sunflower coral
Family
Acroporidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific, from the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific
Water
saltwater
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12
Care level
intermediate
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Low to moderate
Flow
Low to moderate

Care

Alveopora spongiosa is a stony coral with a light, porous skeleton and long-stalked polyps that end in a ring of 12 short tentacles, giving the colony a soft, flower-bunch look. It is often confused with Goniopora, which has 24 tentacles per polyp. Colours are green, tan, cream and pinkish. Place it low in the tank. LiveAquaria lists Alveopora as moderate in care, with moderate light, low flow and bottom placement, and notes it needs space because the polyps reach well beyond the base. It has a reputation for being harder to keep long-term than its care level suggests, so it suits a mature, stable reef. Water: LiveAquaria gives dKH 8–12, pH 8.1–8.4, specific gravity 1.023–1.025 and 22–26 °C, with calcium, strontium and trace elements. Naming: LiveAquaria lists Alveopora in Poritidae, but the genus is now placed in Acroporidae. Selling: this is a CITES Appendix II coral. Frags grown in the UK can be sold freely; wild-collected or imported pieces must have been legally imported with CITES paperwork. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/alveopora-coral). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic, but it benefits from regular small foods: LiveAquaria suggests microplankton or brine shrimp. Fine coral foods or phytoplankton can also help.

Breeding

Cut through the skeleton with a saw or bone cutters and glue the pieces to plugs with cyanoacrylate gel. Keep frags in gentle flow while they heal.

Compatibility and tank mates

Not very aggressive, but its polyps can sting neighbours they reach, so give it 10–15 cm of space. Avoid fish that nip polyps.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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