Hydnophora
Hydnophora rigida
What you need to keep a Hydnophora
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pH
8.1–8.4
Temperature
24–27 °C
Colony size
15 cm
Min tank
150 L
Where to buy
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
A fast-growing branching coral that is notably aggressive — it will chemically and physically attack anything it reaches. Give it a rock of its own.
Care guide
Keeping Hydnophora healthy in a South African setup.
Placement & light
Place it low in the tank at first and move it up over a few weeks if it stays closed or browns. Match flow to the coral: most fleshy corals want gentle, indirect flow.
Water parameters
Keep pH 8.1–8.4 and 24–27°C, with salinity around 1.025–1.026. Alkalinity, calcium and magnesium matter more than any single reading: keep them stable and test weekly.
Feeding
Photosynthetic; benefits from feeding. Most of its energy comes from light, so feeding supplements good lighting rather than replacing it.
Stinging & spacing
Highly aggressive toward neighbours. Many corals and anemones sting what they touch, some with sweeper tentacles that reach well beyond the colony at night. Leave clear space around Hydnophora as it grows.
Reef compatibility
Large angelfish and butterflyfish nip at corals and anemones; most reef fish, shrimp and snails leave it alone.
Propagation
Hydnophora can be fragged: cut or break a piece with a clean tool, glue it to a plug, and keep it in moderate light and flow while it heals.
Community photos
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