Is this coral suitable for beginners?

Yes, it's generally considered a beginner-friendly coral thanks to its hardiness and tolerance for typical aquarium conditions. As long as lighting, flow, and water chemistry stay reasonably stable, it's a manageable choice for those new to coral keeping.

How large does it grow?

Colonies can reach anywhere from tens of centimeters to over a meter in diameter. Since it spreads slowly outward by layering new plates, it's worth choosing a spot that allows room for that future growth.

Can it be kept alongside other corals?

It can affect nearby corals with its tentacles, so it's best to leave ample spacing from other colonies. As the plates spread with growth, that gap narrows, so periodic rearranging of the layout may be needed.

Does it need to be fed?

Not strictly — it gets much of its nutrition from photosynthesis via its symbiotic algae. Occasionally offering coral food, however, can help support its growth and coloration.

Is this species subject to CITES?

Echinopora Lamellosa is listed in CITES Appendix II. International trade requires a permit from the exporting country, but as far as CITES is concerned, no registration is needed to buy or sell individuals already legally in Japan.

Echinopora Lamellosa

Echinopora lamellosa, known in Japanese as Ryukyu-kikka coral, is a reef-building coral in the family Merulinidae whose thin, plate-like skeleton spirals and layers as it spreads horizontally. Its English name, hedgehog coral, hints at the small corallites scattered only across the upper surface of each plate, while the plate edges are often rimmed in striking shades of green or brown. As the colony layers grow outward, they create a distinctive sense of depth and texture. Considered beginner-friendly and generally hardy, it's a popular entry point for aquarists new to coral keeping, rewarding patient observation as the colony slowly expands over time.

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Echinopora Lamellosa key facts

Care level: Beginner-friendly
Size: Colonies from several tens of cm to over 1 m
Temperature: 24〜27℃
Diet: Mainly nutrition from symbiotic zooxanthellae, supplemented with fine particulate coral foods offered at night.
Lighting: LiveAquaria gives moderate lighting for corals in this family. The plates spread horizontally, so choose a spot where light falls evenly on the upper surface, and start at reduced intensity.
Flow & Placement: Medium flow, randomised so detritus does not settle on the plates. It extends horizontally and shades corals beneath it, so leave room around it.
Water Temperature & Quality: Water 24-26C, specific gravity 1.023-1.025, salinity 33-35 ppt, KH 8-12. It consumes calcium and magnesium, so test and replenish them regularly.
Feeding: Most of its nutrition comes from its zooxanthellae. The corallites are small, so feed only small amounts of fine particulate coral food after lights-out.
Notes: The plate margins are thin and break easily, so never handle the coral by its edge. It grows fast and can reach an adjacent rock within a few months. As a scleractinian it is on CITES Appendix II.

TraitsLPSHedgehog coralStony coralCITES IIPlating

About Echinopora Lamellosa

A hardy, beginner-friendly reef coral (Echinopora lamellosa) with layered, plate-like growth and green or brown-rimmed edges, popular for its slow, spreading colony form.

7 things to know before welcoming a Echinopora Lamellosa

1Lighting and Placement
Sudden exposure to very strong lighting can stress the tissue, so it's best to start with moderate light and gradually acclimate the colony. Because the plates spread out horizontally as they grow, choose a spot with enough open space around it.
2Prefers Gentle Flow
Strong, direct flow can damage the coral's thin plates or distort their shape over time. Position it where gentle, indirect water movement reaches the colony, avoiding a direct high-velocity jet.
3Keep Distance From Neighbors
It can extend tentacles that affect neighboring corals, so it's important to leave adequate spacing when placing it in the tank. As the plates grow and spread, that distance shrinks, so periodically reassess the layout.
4Fragile, Thin Skeleton
The plate-like skeleton is thin, so it can chip or crack if handled roughly during rearranging or moving. Support the base or frag plug rather than gripping the delicate plate edges directly.
5Feeding Is Optional
Much of its nutrition comes from photosynthesis by the symbiotic algae it hosts, so regular feeding isn't essential. That said, occasionally offering coral food can support growth and coloration.
6Stable Water Chemistry Matters
Stable calcium and alkalinity levels support healthy skeletal growth over time. Sudden shifts in water chemistry can stress the coral, so introduce water changes or supplement adjustments gradually.
7Colonies Expand Over Years
Colonies can grow from tens of centimeters up to over a meter across, layering new plates as they spread year after year. When bringing one home, plan for a tank size and placement that leaves room for that future growth.

Frequently asked questions about Echinopora Lamellosa

Q.Is this coral suitable for beginners?: A.Yes, it's generally considered a beginner-friendly coral thanks to its hardiness and tolerance for typical aquarium conditions. As long as lighting, flow, and water chemistry stay reasonably stable, it's a manageable choice for those new to coral keeping.
Q.How large does it grow?: A.Colonies can reach anywhere from tens of centimeters to over a meter in diameter. Since it spreads slowly outward by layering new plates, it's worth choosing a spot that allows room for that future growth.
Q.Can it be kept alongside other corals?: A.It can affect nearby corals with its tentacles, so it's best to leave ample spacing from other colonies. As the plates spread with growth, that gap narrows, so periodic rearranging of the layout may be needed.
Q.Does it need to be fed?: A.Not strictly — it gets much of its nutrition from photosynthesis via its symbiotic algae. Occasionally offering coral food, however, can help support its growth and coloration.
Q.Is this species subject to CITES?: A.Echinopora Lamellosa is listed in CITES Appendix II. International trade requires a permit from the exporting country, but as far as CITES is concerned, no registration is needed to buy or sell individuals already legally in Japan.