Indo-Pacific - Islands of the Indopacific including Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef.

Intense lighting is recommended for best coloration and overall health. Use either Metal Halide lighting or a large bank of high output fluorescent or compact fluorescent bulbs. If not provided proper lighting, the colors of Hydnophora may fade, but worse the coral may not receive enough energy and perish.

Moderate water movement is recommended.

Hydnophora relies heavily on the products of their zooxanthellae. This coral may benefit from the addition of phytoplankton as a food source. While the coral itself may consume some phytoplankton, the real benefit is the increased population of rotifers that feed on the phytoplankton. Rotifers make a good meal to a vast array of corals. If phytoplankton is not readily available, you may attempt to feed the coral finely ground meaty foods. The food should almost have a paste-like consistency before being administered.

Hydonophora are different than other small polyp stony corals in that their polyps take on a structure called hydonophores.

Hydonophora have very powerful stings that can easily injure or kill other corals they come in contact with. Place them carefully with ample space to grow. In our show tanks, light contact with a hydonophora colony has killed off entire heads of acropora and montipora.

This genus for the most part has been propagated extensively in captivity and is an excellent candidate for aquaculture. It is reasonable to believe that a sustainable harvest can be achieved in time.