Net Coral

About

Net coral (Alveopora allingi) is a challenging but rewarding stony coral native to protected reef environments across the Western Central Pacific, found from the shallows down to about 15 meters. Its skeletal structure is genuinely distinctive. The corallite walls are built from a mesh of interconnected rods and spines rather than solid plates, giving the coral a lattice-like quality that earns it its common name. Long, spine-like septa extend inward, and a columella is often present at the center of each corallite. Growth forms vary between individuals, ranging from encrusting sheets and short irregular lobes to more upright columnar structures, all with smoothly rounded surfaces. The polyps themselves are tightly packed and elongated, with slightly flared tentacle tips that give the colony a dense, bristling texture when extended. Coloration tends to run toward yellow, green, or brown, usually with white oral cones at the center of each polyp. Like others in the Alveopora genus, this coral needs strong, consistent lighting and good water movement to thrive, and it rewards careful attention to water quality. It is not a coral to recommend to beginners. Successful long-term keeping is best left to reefers with a solid track record maintaining demanding photosynthetic corals.