Anemone Coral

About

Anemone coral (Goniopora cellulosa) is a massive colony-forming coral found in shallow reef environments across the Western Pacific, with records from Japan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. Like other members of the Goniopora genus, it gets its common name from the way its long, swaying polyps extend dramatically from the skeleton, giving the whole colony the appearance of a sea anemone in motion. The skeleton itself is built from thin, perforated walls with calices that vary noticeably in depth, and the internal structures, septa and columellae, are irregular rather than uniform, which is fairly typical for this genus. Coloration is generally understated, running from brown to tan, though healthy polyp extension brings plenty of visual texture and movement to a reef display. In the wild it occupies sunlit, shallow reef zones, so it appreciates good light and moderate water movement in captivity. Goniopora corals as a group have a reputation for being tricky long-term, and this species is no exception. It sits solidly in the intermediate category rather than being a beginner's pick. Hobbyists who do well with it tend to maintain very stable water quality and pay close attention to early signs of polyp recession.