How difficult is it to keep Spiny Horn Coral?

Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.

What is the ideal temperature for Spiny Horn Coral?

The ideal temperature for Spiny Horn Coral is 24〜27℃. Avoid sudden temperature changes and maintain a stable environment.

How large does Spiny Horn Coral get?

Spiny Horn Coral typically reaches Up to about 25 cm (Reeflex) as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.

What should I feed Spiny Horn Coral?

Spiny Horn Coral feeds on: Photosynthesis (zooxanthellae) plus plankton. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.

What is the typical price for Spiny Horn Coral?

The price of Spiny Horn Coral varies significantly depending on variety, size, and individual quality. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Spiny Horn Coral

Beginner

Hydnophora exesa

A horn coral whose walls rise as conical mounds (hydnophores). Massive, encrusting and low branching forms may mix within one colony. It extends long, shaggy tentacles day and night and is cream or dull green.

Difficulty

Beginner

Temperature

24〜27℃

Lifespan

Little data available

Size

Up to about 25 cm (Reeflex)

Diet

Photosynthesis (zooxanthellae) plus plankton

About

Hydnophora exesa is a stony coral of the family Merulinidae widespread from the Red Sea and East Africa across the Indian Ocean to Australia, Southeast Asia and the western Pacific. Colonies are submassive, encrusting or subarborescent; this variation may occur within one colony, though some colonies are encrusting plates only. The surface carries conical mounds (hydnophores) 5-8 mm across. The tentacles are often extended day and night and are long, shaggy and of uniform length. Colour is cream or dull green (Corals of the World). It occurs in all reef environments, especially lagoons and protected slopes, and is common. H. rigida, also on this site, forms mainly flattened branches whose mounds fuse into ridges down the branch sides. In shops it may be sold simply as 'Ibosango' (horn coral). Reeflex rates it easy and recommends at least 150 L. Specialist shops in Japan stock it by name.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Size of the Spiny Horn Coral

The Spiny Horn Coral grows to Up to about 25 cm (Reeflex).

Temperature & humidity for the Spiny Horn Coral

The ideal temperature for the Spiny Horn Coral is 24〜27℃.

Basic Info

Origin

Reefs from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean to the western Pacific (common in lagoons and on protected slopes)

Lifespan

Little data available

Size

Up to about 25 cm (Reeflex)

Care Specifications

Water Temp.: 24–27℃
Specific Gravity: 1.023–1.025
Salinity: 33–35 ppt
Min. Tank: 150 L

LPSFlow: Medium

Sources: Corals of the World (Hydnophora exesa) / Reeflex (Hydnophora exesa) / AlgaeBarn: Water Parameters 101

References & Sources

Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team

The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.

Primary sources

Taxonomy & Authority

Accepted name: Hydnophora exesa (Pallas, 1766)

Synonyms: Hydnophora contignatio (Forskål, 1775), Hydnophora demidovii Fischer von Waldheim, 1807, Hydnophora ehrenbergi Milne Edwards & Haime, 1849

Authority databases: WoRMS · GBIF · GBIF · WoRMS · Corals of the World

Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.

Regulations & Conservation Status

CITES Appendix IIIUCN LC · Least Concern

Domestic law: Collecting in Japanese waters is governed by each prefecture's fisheries adjustment regulations, which differ by prefecture. Okinawa bans all collection of reef-building corals, including stony corals, and also bans possessing or selling illegally collected corals (cultured corals are exempt, and the prefecture advises buyers to confirm a coral is cultured, on an artificial base or tagged). Tokyo bans collection in the waters off Ogasawara Village. In marine park zones of national and quasi-national parks, taking designated animals and plants requires a permit (Natural Parks Act, Art. 22).

All stony corals (Scleractinia) are listed in CITES Appendix II (checked on Species+). International trade requires export permits, but no registration is needed to sell or transfer specimens within Japan.

Sources: Species+ (CITES listing of Hydnophora exesa) / Okinawa Prefecture: Collection of reef-building corals is prohibited / Tokyo Metropolitan Fisheries Adjustment Regulations (Arts. 37 and 41) / e-Gov: Natural Parks Act (Art. 22, marine park zones)

Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.