ACI Dragon Breath Goniopora Coral

ACI Dragon Breath Goniopora Coral

Overview

ACI Dragon Breath Goniopora Coral shows long, waving polyps with bright orange-red tones. Goniopora sp., a stony large-polyp coral, forms compact encrusting to mound-like heads and prefers moderate light and gentle to moderate, indirect flow. It is photosynthetic via symbiotic algae but benefits from occasional small particulate foods, which can support fuller polyp extension and steady growth. Place on a stable rock or sand area with space around it, and avoid contact with other corals or high flow that can damage the polyps.

Quick Facts

Care Difficult
Lighting Moderate
Flow Moderate, indirect
Placement Mid–Low
Temperament Peaceful (3–4 inches spacing)

Recommended Parameters

Temp 76–80°F
pH 8.1–8.4
Salinity 1.025–1.026
Calcium 420–450 ppm
AlkAlkalinity 8–9.5 dKH
Magnesium 1280–1380 ppm
Feeding photosynthetic, phytoplankton, zooplankton, microplankton, rotifers, oyster eggs, reef roids, powdered coral foods, baby brine shrimp, finely minced mysis

Care & Placement

ACI Dragon Breath Goniopora Coral (Goniopora sp.) prefers moderate light and gentle, indirect water movement. Target PAR around 80–150; start low and increase slowly to avoid bleaching. Provide random, low-to-moderate flow that keeps polyps swaying and prevents detritus settling without blasting the tissue. Feed 2–4 times weekly with small-particle foods (phytoplankton, rotifers, fine zooplankton) and occasional amino acids; turn off pumps briefly for better capture. Maintain stable water: temperature 75–79°F (24–26°C), salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity 8.0–9.5 dKH, calcium 420–460 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, nitrate 2–10 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.08 ppm. Test weekly, watch for swings, and avoid ultra-low nutrients. Trace elements like iron/manganese can help, but only dose if you test.Place mid-to-low in the tank, on a stable rock ledge or sandbed with the base above the sand so it doesn’t trap debris. Give 3–6 inches of space; Goniopora can sting nearby corals and are vulnerable to aggressive neighbors (e.g., torches, galaxea). Temperament is semi-aggressive; extension is a good health cue. Acclimate with a slow drip and light acclimation; dip to remove pests. Common issues include tissue recession (often from instability or detritus), brown jelly infections (frag away affected areas and consider iodine-based dips), and bleaching from excess light. If polyps stay retracted, reduce flow, check parameters, raise nutrients slightly, and inspect for pests or shadowing. Regular gentle baster blasts help keep the skeleton clean.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the ACI Dragon Breath Goniopora Coral

  • My ACI Dragon Breath Goniopora extends in the morning but retracts by midday. What’s causing the “half-day” polyp cycle?
    Midday retraction often flags micro-irritation or competition. Check for vermetid snail webs, nearby torches/favias releasing stings, or a pH/alkalinity dip around noon. Improve random flow to clear film, increase aeration if pH sags, and move stinging neighbors 6–8 inches away. A small activated carbon refresh can reduce chemical cues that trigger shutdown.
  • The red/orange tones are fading to pinkish-brown. How do I recover the color without stressing it?
    Prioritize stability first. Shift the spectrum toward blue-violet (420–470 nm), moderate PAR (120–180), and avoid abrupt intensity jumps. Keep nitrate 5–15 ppm, phosphate 0.05–0.10 ppm. Supplement trace metals known to help Goniopora (iron and manganese) at conservative reef doses. Target-feed fine particulate foods twice weekly; overfeeding can dull color, so rinse and go light.
  • My colony grows a thick base but polyp stalks stay short. Is this normal for this strain?
    It can happen under higher flow or PAR that favors skeletal thickening. Ease flow to moderate, more indirect turbulence so tentacles can “dance” without folding. Slightly lower PAR within range, and increase feeding frequency to encourage fleshy extension. Consistent alkalinity (8.0–8.6 dKH) and stable magnesium support longer stalk development over time.
  • How do I frag an ACI Dragon Breath Goniopora with minimal loss?
    Use a diamond saw to cut through clean, healthy skeleton between polyp clusters; avoid crushing polyps. Dip frags in iodine-based antiseptic, then place in moderate flow to prevent film buildup. Keep light on the lower end of its range for the first two weeks and feed gently. Watch for brown jelly; if seen, re-dip and increase flow.