Flower Pot Coral (LPS) (Alveopora spp.)

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Flower Pot Coral (LPS)
Alveopora spp.
Flower Pot Coral (LPS) (Alveopora spp.)
Name Flower Pot Coral (LPS)
Name Lat. Alveopora spp.
Family Staghorn Corals
Family lat. Acroporidae
Order Stony Corals
Order lat. Scleractinia
Origin Indo-Pacific
Diet Autotrophic, planktivore
pH 8.1-8.4
Hardness 8-12 °KH
Lighting Medium
Current Moderate
Behavior Peaceful
Keeping Colony
Care Level Difficult
Life Span N/A
Protection CITES Appendix II; EC Annex B
Metric Units
Size < 50 cm
Temperature 24-27 °C
Salinity 33-36 ‰
Aquarium 200 l
US Units
Size < 20"
Temperature 75-81 °F
Salinity 1.020-1.025 sg
Aquarium 50 gal

Distribution and habitat

Alveopora spp. belongs to the LPS (Large Polyp Scleractinia) group. This reef-building coral is widespread in the Red Sea, the tropical Indian Ocean and the Central Pacific, where it is mostly found in deeper reef areas

Maintenance

They should be positioned in a place with medium light intensity and moderate, alternating current. Only lime-rich, heavy metal-free substrates should be used as substrate

To ensure water quality, filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents

It is recommended that live stones be used to set up the aquarium. The bacteria living in the porous stones act as a biological filter. The lighting must correspond to the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals

Salinity: 33-36 ‰ pH value: 8.1-8.4
Carbonate hardness: 8-12 °KH Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l
calcium content: 420-450 mg/l Nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l
Magnesium content: 1.250-1.350 mg/l phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l

Regular addition of trace elements, especially calcium and strontium, is recommended. For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention shall be paid to consistently good water quality and water values.

Diet

Zooxanthellae, which are unicellular symbiotic algae, live in their tissue and provide them with assimilation products of their photosynthesis (light requirement). The zooxanthellae promote growth and provide additional food to the plankton and small particles that are collected in large quantities from the water current. Thus, in addition to the food produced in the aquarium during fish feeding (mysis, krill, Artemia, etc.), commercially available supplementary food in the form of phyto- and zooplankton should be offered regularly

Regular and varied feeding promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Behaviour and compatibility

They should not be kept with fish that regard their polyps as food (e.g. angelfish or butterflyfish). They are well tolerated with other corals, but sufficient distance must be kept from cnidarians.

Reproduction and breeding

Reproduction occurs through the formation of daughter colonies (brooders).

Species protection

Species protection: WA Appendix II; EU Appendix B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe! Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Important

Alveopores can easily be confused with goniopores. They differ in the number of their tentacles on the polyps. Alveopores have 12, whereas goniopores have 24 tentacles. They occur in different colors and growth forms according to their species and origin.

The additional illumination with actinic light (short-wave, violet-blue light) is very beneficial for their growth (zooxanthellae).

A calcium reactor and a magnesium metering pump are recommended for the necessary uniform supply of calcium carbonate and magnesium. Too high temperature, insufficient lighting or current as well as sudden change of water values can lead to tissue decay (RTN - rapid tissue necrosis). When purchasing, look for pressure marks or other tissue damage. Newly introduced animals must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium

If different species are kept together, make sure that fish and invertebrates match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements as well as their social behavior, and that the setup meets the ecological needs of all species kept together

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Christian Sänger; Image: Alex Rinesch

Source: VERON (2000): Corals of the world, Australian Institute of Marine Science; ENGELMANN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Verlag Harri Deutsch