Hedgehog Coral Care Guide

Hedgehog Coral (Echinopora gemmacea) is a LPS coral. Care covers 75-175 PAR, medium flow, reef parameters and feeding; beginner level.

Overview

Hedgehog Coral (Echinopora gemmacea) is a LPS coral in the family Merulinidae. Encrusting LPS with raised gem-like corallites. Bright neon green or pink morphs.

Taxonomy

Family: Merulinidae
Genus: Echinopora
Scientific name: Echinopora gemmacea
Common synonyms: Echinopora

Habitat

In the wild, Echinopora gemmacea is reported from Indo-Pacific, where it occupies mid to lower reef slopes and lagoons (typically 5-30 m). The species adopts a encrusting growth form on hard substrate within zooxanthellate reef communities.

Tank requirements

Salinity (specific gravity): 1.024-1.026
Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
pH: 8.1-8.4
Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-11
Calcium: 400-450 ppm
Magnesium: 1280-1350 ppm
Phosphate (max): 0.03 ppm
Nitrate (max): 5 ppm
Minimum system age: 3 months

Placement and lighting

PAR (placement zone): 75-175 PAR
Water flow: medium

Mount this LPS coral on the lower or mid rockwork or on the sand bed (for free-living forms) where light is moderate. Strong direct flow can damage the fleshy tissue; aim for indirect, varied movement.

Feeding

Echinopora gemmacea hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae and derives most of its energy through photosynthesis. Additional feeding is generally not required when lighting is adequate.

Compatibility

This coral is moderately aggressive toward neighbours. It extends sweeper tentacles capable of stinging adjacent corals, so leave generous spacing (10-20 cm) between colonies. Reef-safe with most fish and invertebrates.

Care notes

Difficulty level: beginner. Reported skeletal growth in well-tuned reef tanks is approximately 0.3-0.6 cm/month. Propagation by fragmentation is straightforward for encrusting colonies — separate branches or polyps with a bone cutter, glue to plug, allow 1-2 weeks for healing. Maintain stable alkalinity (avoid swings above ±0.5 dKH per day) to preserve tissue health.