Anemone Coral

About

Anemone coral (Goniopora burgosi) is a zoantharian coral native to the shallow reef flats and upper reef slopes of the Philippines and Indonesia, typically found at depths of just a few meters. In the wild it forms submassive, often lobed colonies that can grow quite large over time, and its corallites are notably deep with short septa. What draws most reef keepers to this genus is the polyp extension. When fully open, the colony transforms into a swaying mass of long tentacles that genuinely resembles a field of tiny anemones, which explains the common name. The base tissue and tentacles run in shades of brown and grey, so this isn't a coral you keep for vivid color. The appeal is all in that constant, hypnotic movement. Goniopora as a group has a complicated history in the hobby, with a reputation for being difficult to sustain long-term, and burgosi is no exception. It lands in the intermediate category for good reason. It needs consistent, high-quality water and reliable lighting to thrive, and it rewards keepers who have already worked through the fundamentals of reef keeping rather than those just starting out.