About Hump Coral
Massive boulder-style coral that grows slowly into hemispherical heads. Not common in the home hobby due to size and modest lighting needs being deceptive (it's actually demanding of stability), but a centerpiece if you can grow it.
Porites lutea is a species of stony coral in the family Poritidae. It is found growing in very shallow water on reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. It sometimes forms "microatolls" in the intertidal zone and these massive structures have been used to study trends in sea levels and sea water temperature.
Notes from the editors
What it looks like. Massive, boulder-shaped stony coral that grows slowly into hemispherical heads. Color is typically yellow, cream, or pale green. Polyps are tiny but cover the entire surface uniformly when extended.
In your tank. Uncommon in the home hobby due to eventual size and a deceptive reputation for being beginner-friendly. Modest light requirements suggest forgiveness, but the coral is actually demanding of long-term parameter stability — slow declines from minor imbalances are typical.
Placement and care. Moderate light, moderate flow. Stable alkalinity is critical. Plan for vertical growth and lateral spread — not suitable for nano reefs as a long-term resident.
Sourcing and feeding. Aquacultured specimens occasionally available; most home-trade Porites are wild-collected. Photosynthetic. A centerpiece coral for established systems, not a frag-and-go choice.
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 207246).
- Description content adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Photo: Philippe Bourjon · CC BY-SA 3.0 (via iNaturalist or Wikimedia Commons).