Leafy Hedgehog Coral (LPS) (Echinopora mammiformis)

Leafy Hedgehog Coral (LPS) Echinopora mammiformis
Name	Leafy Hedgehog Coral (LPS)
Name Lat.	Echinopora mammiformis
Family	Merulinid Corals
Family lat.	Merulinidae
Order	Stony Corals
Order lat.	Scleractinia
Origin	Indo-West Pacific, Red Sea
Diet	Autotrophic, planktivore
pH	8.1-8.4
Hardness	8-10 °KH
Lighting	Medium-high
Current	Moderate-strong
Behavior	Semi-aggressive
Keeping	Colony
Care Level	Moderate
Life Span	N/A
Protection	CITES Appendix II; EC Annex B
Metric Units
Size	< 30 cm
Temperature	23-28 °C
Salinity	33-36 ‰
Aquarium	200 l
US Units
Size	< 12"
Temperature	73-82 °F
Salinity	1.020-1.025 sg
Aquarium	50 gal

Distribution and habitat

Echinopora mammiformis belongs to the group of LPS (Large Polyp Scleractinia). This reef-building coral is widespread in the Red Sea and from the Indian Ocean to the Western Pacific, where they occur in well-flowed shallow water up to 40 m depth.

Maintenance

They should be positioned in a place with higher light intensity and moderate to strong, alternating current. Only high-calcium, heavy metal-free substrates should be used as substrate. Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. It is recommended that live stones be used to set up the aquarium. The bacteria living in the porous stones act as a biological filter. The lighting must correspond to the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals

Salinity: 33-36 ‰	pH value: 8.1-8.4
Carbonate hardness: 8-10 °KH	Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l
calcium content: 420-450 mg/l	Nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l
Magnesium content: 1.250-1.350 mg/l	phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l

Regular addition of trace elements, especially calcium, magnesium, strontium and iodine is recommended. For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention shall be paid to consistently good water quality and water values.

Diet

Zooxanthellae, which are unicellular symbiotic algae, live in their tissue and provide them with assimilation products of their photosynthesis (high light requirement). The zooxanthellae promote growth and provide additional food to the plankton and small particles, which are collected in large quantities from the water current. Thus, in addition to the food produced during fish feeding (mysis, krill, Artemia, etc.), commercially available supplementary food in the form of phyto- and zooplankton should be offered regularly

Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

They should not be kept with fish that regard their polyps as food (e.g. angelfish or butterflyfish). They are well tolerated with other corals, but sufficient distance must be kept from cnidarians.

Reproduction and breeding

In nature, reproduction is sexual via marine larval stages. In the aquarium they can be reproduced conditionally by fragmentation. Fragments are fixed in the reef structure, e.g. with a good two-component coral glue (epoxy).

Species protection

Species protection: WA Appendix II; EU Appendix B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe! Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Important

These corals form large colonies. Sediment accumulation should be regularly removed from the funnels, otherwise tissue decomposition may occur. The additional illumination with actinic light (short-wave, violet-blue light) is very beneficial for their growth (zooxanthellae). A calcium reactor and magnesium metering pump are recommended for the necessary steady supply of calcium carbonate and magnesium. Too high temperature, insufficient lighting or current as well as sudden change of water values can lead to tissue decay (RTN - rapid tissue necrosis). When purchasing, look for pressure marks or other tissue damage. Newly introduced animals must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium. If different species are kept together, make sure that fish and invertebrates match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements as well as their social behavior, and that the setup meets the ecological needs of all species kept together. Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: petdata

Source: ENGELMANN & LANGE (2011): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Wirbellose, Verlag Harri Deutsch; VERON (2000): Corals of the world, Australian Institute of Marine Science