Flower Pot Coral Care: How to Keep Your Corals Healthy and Happy

Oleh Roland Ankunding May 18, 2023 Post a Comment

Are you thinking about adding a flower pot coral to your reef tank? These beautiful creatures can add a pop of color and life to any aquarium, but they do require specific care to thrive. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about flower pot coral care, from lighting and feeding to water quality and disease prevention.

Flower pot corals (Goniopora spp.) are a type of stony coral that are popular in the aquarium hobby for their unique appearance and vibrant colors. They have long, thin polyps that extend from their skeleton and can be green, pink, purple, or yellow. While they're not the easiest coral to care for, with the right conditions and attention, they can thrive in your home aquarium.

Lighting

One of the most important factors when it comes to flower pot coral care is lighting. These corals require moderate to high lighting levels, meaning they need between 150 and 250 PAR (photosynthetically active radiation) to keep healthy. If your tank doesn't receive enough natural sunlight, you'll need to invest in a good quality LED light fixture or metal halide lamp.

When choosing a lighting system, look for one that has adjustable settings so you can gradually increase the intensity over time as your coral acclimates. You should also aim for a spectrum that mimics natural sunlight, with a combination of blue, white, and red bulbs.

To avoid damaging your coral due to sudden changes in lighting, make sure to acclimate them slowly to new lights by gradually increasing the intensity over a few weeks.

Water Quality

Maintaining proper water quality is vital to keeping your flower pot coral healthy and happy. These corals prefer clean, clear water with low levels of nitrates and phosphates. You should aim for the following water parameters:

Temperature: 75-80°F (24-27°C)
pH: 8.1-8.4
Salinity: 1.024-1.026
Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH
Calcium: 400-450 ppm
Magnesium: 1200-1350 ppm

To maintain these levels, you'll need to test your water regularly and perform water changes as needed. You should also invest in a good quality protein skimmer and keep an eye on your filtration system to ensure it's working properly.

Feeding

Flower pot corals are photosynthetic, meaning they get most of their nutrition from the zooxanthellae algae that live within their tissues. However, they can also benefit from supplemental feeding with planktonic foods, such as phytoplankton or zooplankton.

You can feed your coral using a pipette or turkey baster, targeting the food directly at the polyps. Aim to feed your coral once or twice a week and be careful not to overfeed, as this can lead to poor water quality and the growth of harmful bacteria.

Disease Prevention

Like all corals, flower pot corals are susceptible to disease and infection. To prevent the spread of disease, it's important to maintain good water quality and avoid introducing new coral or fish into your tank without proper quarantine procedures.

If you notice any signs of illness, such as discoloration, tissue recession, or unusual behavior, isolate the affected coral and seek advice from a reputable aquarium professional. Common diseases that affect flower pot corals include brown jelly disease, black band disease, and white band disease.

Other Care Considerations

In addition to the above factors, there are a few other things to keep in mind when caring for your flower pot coral:

Water flow: These corals prefer moderate water flow, so aim to place them in an area of your tank with gentle to medium flow.
Placement: Flower pot corals require plenty of space to extend their polyps, so make sure to give them ample room to grow. They also prefer to be placed on a sandy or rocky substrate rather than on live rock.
Acclimation: When introducing a new flower pot coral to your tank, it's important to acclimate them slowly to prevent shock and stress. You can do this by placing them in a separate container of tank water and gradually adding small amounts of your tank water over time.
Maintenance: Regular maintenance, such as cleaning your tank and equipment, checking your water parameters, and performing water changes, is essential for the health and longevity of your flower pot coral.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should I feed my flower pot coral?

You should aim to feed your flower pot coral once or twice a week with planktonic foods, such as phytoplankton or zooplankton.

2. What lighting do flower pot corals need?

Flower pot corals require moderate to high lighting levels, meaning they need between 150 and 250 PAR (photosynthetically active radiation). Look for a lighting system with adjustable settings and a spectrum that mimics natural sunlight.

3. Can I keep flower pot corals with other types of coral?

Yes, you can keep flower pot corals with other types of coral as long as they have similar care requirements and are spaced out enough to prevent competition for space.

4. What causes brown jelly disease in flower pot corals?

Brown jelly disease is caused by a bacterial infection that can spread quickly through your tank. To prevent the spread of disease, maintain good water quality and seek professional advice if you notice any signs of illness.

5. How can I tell if my flower pot coral is healthy?

A healthy flower pot coral will have polyps that are extended and vibrant in color. It will also be free of any signs of illness, such as discoloration or tissue recession.

6. Can I frag my flower pot coral?

Yes, you can frag your flower pot coral by carefully cutting off a small piece of the skeleton and attaching it to a new substrate. However, this should only be by experienced hobbyists with the proper equipment and techniques.

7. How do I acclimate my new flower pot coral to my tank?

To acclimate your new flower pot coral, place it in a separate container of your tank water and gradually add small amounts of your tank water over time. This will help prevent shock and stress.

8. What type of water flow do flower pot corals prefer?

Flower pot corals prefer moderate water flow, so aim to place them in an area of your tank with gentle to medium flow.

9. Can I keep flower pot corals in a nano tank?

While it is possible to keep flower pot corals in a nano tank, it's important to ensure that your tank has stable water parameters and adequate lighting and filtration.

10. How do I prevent white band disease in my flower pot coral?

White band disease is caused by a bacterial infection and can be prevented by maintaining good water quality and avoiding introducing new coral or fish into your tank without proper quarantine procedures.

Flower pot coral care requires attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining optimal water quality and lighting conditions. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide and seeking professional advice when needed, you can keep your coral healthy and thriving for years to come.