About Spine Coral
Branching SPS-style coral with prominent monticules and intense fluorescence. Hardy and fast-growing, but aggressive: it deploys long sweepers and will chemically warfare nearby corals. Give it real estate.
Hydnophora rigida, commonly known as horn coral, are found in reefs and are in the genus Hydnophora. They were first described by James Dwight Dana in 1846. Their color is naturally green and brown, or sometimes cream. They can also become fluorescent green and cyano-red emission.
Notes from the editors
What it looks like. Branching SPS-style coral with prominent raised "monticules" or bumps along each branch. Color is typically a fluorescent green that glows intensely under blue lighting. Branches grow upward and outward.
In your tank. Aggressive. Deploys long sweeper tentacles and chemically warfares neighboring corals — keep at least 4–6 inches from any other coral. The aesthetic payoff is real but the territorial behavior is demanding on aquascape design.
Placement and care. Moderate-to-high light, moderate flow. SPS-grade parameter stability matters less here than for Acropora, but consistent alkalinity helps avoid tissue recession. Place in mid-tank with clearance on all sides.
Sourcing and feeding. Captive-propagated frags widely available ($25–60). Photosynthetic. Fast-growing under good conditions, often outpacing slower neighbors.
Care info is a starting point, not a guarantee. Individual specimens, water chemistry, and tankmate dynamics vary. Verify against multiple sources and adjust to what you observe. See our terms & disclaimers.
Related corals
Sources & attribution
- Taxonomy and accepted name from the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS AphiaID 207406).
- Description content adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Photo: (c) Ryan McMinds, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY (via iNaturalist or Wikimedia Commons).