Hydnophora exesa

(Pallas, 1766)

Velvet Horn Coral, Furry Coral

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Widespread.

Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons and protected slopes and usually seen at depths between 3 to 100 feet (1 - 30 m).

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade and highly aggressive!

Placement should not be within 6 - 8 inches (15 - 20 cm) of another coral. After the lights go out it extends long sweepers, about 3 inches (7.5 cm) that can kill or severely sting any animal it touches/close by/downstream.

Best placed where it will receive bright light and very good water movement.

Capable of producing its nutritional needs via photosynthesis, yet benefits from once or twice a week feedings of various plankton-like foods, such as Oyster eggs, cyclops, baby brine shrimp, Spirulina, enriched adult brine and mysis shrimp.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Merulinidae

Genus: Hydnophora

FYI: In the wild, begins with an encrusting base, they developing irregular shaped vertical columns and generally cream or dull green.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Photosynthetic/Plankton feeder

Temperament: Aggressive

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: With caution

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

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: 74 - 83°F (23 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Lighting: PAR 400 - 500+

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.