Is Hydnophora an SPS or LPS coral?

Structurally, Hydnophora is classified as a Small Polyp Stony (SPS) coral. However, because of its thicker tissue, fuzzy polyp extension, and highly aggressive nature, many aquarists care for it as if it were a Large Polyp Stony (LPS) coral.

How far away should I place Hydnophora from other corals?

You should leave a minimum of 10 to 15 centimetres of clearance around your Hydnophora. It can extend long mesenterial filaments at night to attack and digest neighbouring corals.

Why is my Hydnophora turning white?

Bleaching or tissue loss can occur due to sudden swings in alkalinity, excessively high temperatures, or lighting shock. It can also happen if detritus settles on the coral due to insufficient water flow.

Can I feed my Horn Coral?

Yes, while it gets most of its energy from its symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) via lighting, broadcast feeding it with micro-plankton, coral snow, or oyster eggs will promote better health and growth.

How do I frag a Branching Hydnophora?

Branching species can be easily fragged using standard coral bone cutters. Simply snip a branch off, glue it to a coral plug using cyanoacrylate gel, and place it in an area with moderate flow to heal.

MarineCoralsIntermediate

Hydnophora

Hydnophora spp.

Hydnophora is a vividly coloured, velvet-textured SPS coral notorious for its extremely aggressive sting and unique skeletal cones.

List this species for sale Find Hydnophora near me

Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 24 – 27 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.023 – 1.026 SG
Adult size: 10 – 50 cm
Minimum suitable reef aquarium volume: 150 litres+
Lifespan: 10 – 50 years
Diet: Photosynthetic (Zooxanthellae) and micro-plankton
Water flow: Moderate to high

About the Hydnophora

The Hydnophora genus, commonly known as Horn Coral or Velvet Coral, is a fascinating and visually striking addition to the marine aquarium. Often exhibiting brilliant fluorescent green colouration, it stands out amongst other corals due to its unique skeletal morphology. Rather than having recessed corallites (pits) where the polyps sit, Hydnophora features prominent, cone-like structures called hydnophores. The polyps emerge from the valleys between these cones, giving the colony a remarkably fuzzy, velvet-like appearance when fully expanded.

Find Hydnophora

Search current listings in your chosen area. If none are available, save an alert and we’ll let you know when a match is listed.

Find locally Check compatibility Add to a Setup

Availability alerts only use public sale listings. Adding this species to a Setup updates your private records.

Is it right for your tank?

Check Hydnophora against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Hydnophora comes from

Native range

Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, Great Barrier Reef

Countries / regions

Australia, Indonesia, Fiji, Philippines

Habitat

Shallow reef slopes, lagoons, and protected reef crests where sunlight is abundant.

Widespread across the tropical Indo-Pacific ocean.

Similar species

Green Slimer Acropora
Acropora yongei
Birdsnest Coral
Seriatopora hystrix
Galaxea Coral
Galaxea fascicularis

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

View all compatibility

Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Reef-safe fish that generally ignore corals and will not be bothered by the Hydnophora's sting.
Great
Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
Excellent algae grazers that are entirely reef-safe and will keep nuisance algae away from the coral's base.
Great
Acropora Corals
Acropora spp.
Must be placed far away. Hydnophora will aggressively attack and digest nearby Acropora using long mesenterial filaments.
Compatible with caution
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Chaetodon lunula
Notoriously not reef-safe; will actively nip and consume the fleshy polyps of the coral.
Not recommended
Bicolour Angelfish
Centropyge bicolor
Dwarf angelfish carry a high risk of nipping at the fuzzy polyps, causing the coral to retract and eventually decline.
Not recommended

Current marketplace listings

Checking the marketplace…

See all Hydnophora listings

Public Wanted requests

No open requests for Hydnophora in this market yet.

Looking for Hydnophora?

Search current listings near you, or post a wanted request so local sellers know what you’re looking for.

Search Hydnophora listings Post a wanted request