Net Coral
Alveopora ocellata
A delicate plating coral from protected reef slopes, demanding in the aquarium.
About
Net Coral (Alveopora ocellata) is a plating species found across the Indo-West Pacific, with documented populations in the Philippines and the Red Sea. In the wild it occupies the lower reaches of reef slopes, settling into calmer zones sheltered from strong wave action. A detail worth keeping in mind when thinking about placement in your system. The colony grows in flat, plate-like sheets, and up close the individual corallites are circular with well-defined, tidy walls. The septa are arranged in two cycles of unequal size, giving the skeletal structure a layered, net-like appearance that likely explains the common name. Coloration in the wild runs toward a muted, dull brown. Not a showpiece coral in terms of color, but there is something appealing about its clean geometric structure. Like other members of the Alveopora genus, this species comes with a reputation for being difficult to keep long-term. It demands very high light and strong flow, and even experienced reefers can struggle to maintain it. This is not a coral for someone still dialing in their system. It belongs in a mature, stable reef in the hands of a keeper who already has some Alveopora or Goniopora experience under their belt.
Similar species
Other coral you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Net Coral
From the same region
Share the same natural habitat. Great for a biotope-themed tank
Frequently asked questions
- What water parameters does the Net Coral need?
- The Net Coral does best with a temperature of 72–82°F, a pH of 8–8.4.
- Is the Net Coral reef safe?
- The Net Coral is generally considered reef safe.