Hydnophora Grandis
Hydnophora Grandis coral (also known as Endive Hydnophora Coral) originates in the Indo-Pacific ocean, Figi, Tonga, Solomon Islands, the Great Barrier Reef and Eastern Africa. It is considered a Small Polyp Stony coral (SPS) and is considered highly aggressive towards other marine aquarium invertebrates. Hydnophora Grandis is not readily available and never found in abundance.
Hydnophora Grandis Morphology
Hydnophora Grandis coral is moderately hardy. The Hydnophora Grandis species is generally characterized by mound shaped structures called hydnophores from which the polyps emerge. The skeleton of this species is branched, flat and irregular in structure, and are a brilliant almost fluorescent green. This type of coral has sweeper tentacles for feeding purposes.
Habits And Habitat Of Hydnophora Grandis
Hydnophora Grandis should be placed anywhere between the middle and higher level in your stony coral dominated aquarium. Keep all other marine invertebrates away from the Hydnophora Grandis species in your marine aquarium. Hydnophora must have plenty of room, at least five inches all around the coral, so that it can spread without any obstruction. This type of coral is highly aggressive and pack a potent sting to unsuspecting neighboring coral and even humans.
Hydnophora Grandis Water Flow And Illumination
The Hydnophora Grandis species requires high lighting in the marine environment it inhabits. Water flow to the Hydnophora coral needs to be high and intermittent water current. Metal halide lighting or actinic lighting in blue shade are recommended. Fluorescent lighting and power compacts are also fine as long as they are high output. The coloration and growth of Hydnophora Grandis coral may vary depending on the intensity of the light.
Feeding Hydnophora Grandis Coral
The Hydnophora Grandis species derives its nutrition mainly through photosynthesis, which is performed by zooxanthellae, a photosynthetic algae living symbiotically within the coral. It can also be carnivorous in feeding habit and filter feeds a few times a week, when open. It is important to keep the calcium, strontium, and iodine levels up in the aquarium, and the phosphate and nitrate levels as low as possible for best Hydnophora health. It does benefit from the addition of zooplankton.
Care And Caution Of Hydnophora Grandis
Hydnophora Grandis coral is difficult to maintain, and is not recommended for beginner aquarium enthusiasts. This type of coral has powerful stings, and it should be kept as far away from other coral species as possible because Hydnophora may sting them, which may result in death of the coral.
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