Green Hydnophora: A Brilliant Neon Centerpiece
Bring a dazzling burst of neon green color to your reef aquarium with the Green Hydnophora. This stunning Large Polyp Stony (LPS) coral, also commonly known as horn coral or velvet horn coral, is prized for its intense, vibrant green coloration that appears to glow under actinic lighting. Its unique branching, encrusting, or plating growth forms add dynamic structure, texture, and a vivid pop of color to any aquascape. The Green Hydnophora is a fast-growing and visually striking coral that commands attention and quickly becomes a focal point in any reef tank.
Aquacultured for Superior Hardiness
This frag is 100% aquacultured, meaning it has been propagated and raised in a controlled captive environment. This process yields corals that are significantly hardier, more disease-resistant, and better adapted to the conditions of home reef aquariums than wild-collected specimens. You will receive a healthy, established frag, typically measuring 1 to 2 inches, securely attached to a frag plug and ready for introduction to your system.
For Intermediate to Advanced Reefers
The Green Hydnophora is best suited for aquarists with some experience in maintaining stable LPS systems. While it is considered relatively hardy and adaptable, it has specific requirements and a notably aggressive nature that must be managed carefully. This coral is known to possess potent sweeper tentacles that can damage neighboring corals, so thoughtful placement is essential for long-term success.
Lighting & Flow
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Lighting: Thrives under moderate to high lighting (T5, LED, or metal halide). For optimal growth and color development, an ideal PAR range of 250–500 is recommended. Higher light levels will enhance the intensity of the neon green coloration, while lower light may result in a darker, less vibrant appearance.
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Water Flow: Prefers moderate to strong, turbulent water flow. Intermittent, random flow is important to help remove waste products, deliver essential nutrients to the polyps, and promote healthy tissue expansion and growth.
Placement & Growth
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Placement: Due to its aggressive nature and potent sweeper tentacles, placement is critical. Provide ample space between this coral and all other corals to prevent damage. Position it in the middle to upper zones of your aquascape, where it can receive adequate light and flow without being overshadowed by larger corals.
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Growth Rate: This is a fast-growing coral that will reward you with noticeable expansion under optimal conditions. A small frag will quickly develop into an impressive, branching or encrusting colony, adding vibrant color and dynamic structure to your reef.
Feeding & Nutrition
While Hydnophora corals derive a significant portion of their energy from photosynthesis through their symbiotic zooxanthellae, they will benefit greatly from supplemental feeding. Target feeding with small meaty foods or planktonic offerings such as reef roids, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, or marine snow once or twice per week can promote faster growth and more vibrant coloration.
Recommended Water Parameters
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Temperature: 76–80°F (stability is critical)
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Salinity: 1.024–1.026 (stable)
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pH: 8.1–8.4
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Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH
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Calcium: 400–450 ppm
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Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
A Bold Addition for the Discerning Reefer
The Green Hydnophora is a stunning and rewarding coral that delivers exceptional color, fast growth, and unique structure. Its vibrant neon green hue and dynamic growth forms make it a standout piece that will impress every viewer. Add this brilliant LPS to your collection today and enjoy a living centerpiece that will continue to grow, expand, and captivate for years to come.
Important Handling Note: Always wear gloves and eye protection when handling corals. Hydnophora corals are aggressive and possess stinging sweeper tentacles; handle with care and provide ample space from other corals in your aquarium.