Millepora complanata

Lamarck, 1816

Fire Coral, Stinging Coral

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Caribbean.

Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow coral reef areas, e.g., <50 meter depths, and are usually found in lagoon, surf zones, bank reefs, patch reefs, and fore-reefs.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade, however much thought needs to be given before placing this species in the average home aquarium as they grow quite fast under the right conditions and will encrust substrates/other corals near them.

In fact, it can chemically sense gorgonians, and will grow toward them, and when reaching them, completely encrust them/kill the gorgonian.

Hair-like structures called 'dactylozooids' containing stinging nematocysts, capture prey and transfer it to internal polyps.

Plankton-like foodstuffs are beneficial, which should be fed in evening hours, are not necessary in brightly lit aquariums.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Hydrozoa

Subclass: Hydroidolina

Order: Anthoathecatra

Suborder: Capitata

Family: Milleporidae

Genus: Millepora

FYI: Very capable of inflicting a painful injury - handle with extreme care and only if wearing gloves.

Hawkfishes are unaffected by its sting.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Photosynthetic/Plankton feeder

Temperament: Aggressive

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe:No

Fish Safe: With caution

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Hardy

Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l

Alkalinity: >2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l

Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)

Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l

Temperature Range: 72 - 83°F (22 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Lighting: PAR 450+

Water Movement: WM 2 - 3

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.