Horn Coral - Hydnophora pilosa

Hydnophora pilosa Picture was taken in March 2000 with a Nikon Coolpix 950 digital camera, no flash Given to me on December 12th, 1999 by Jim Fox (aka MiNdErAsR) This little fellow is an SPS one has to be careful with. It’s a quick grower. The parent of this frag grew in an encrusting form which is uncommon. Most are branching forms. Jim has problems with snails falling into his and they can’t get out due to them being stung by the coral. He has nick named this coral Snail Killer.

Hydnophora pilosa Picture was taken in November 2000 with a Nikon Coolpix 950 digital camera, no flash Pictured left is the coral 8 months later. It now has the typical Hydnophora look to it. This species of hydnophora tends to grow in a mat. It normally does not branch. It has nearly covered the small rock the frag was placed on. It will be interesting to see if it tries to grow over the sand or branch upwards.

Hydnophora pilosa Picture was taken in November 2001 with a Nikon Coolpix 950 digital camera, no flash This picture is one year later. Seems to be a very slow growing coral. The rock is fully encrusted and it has started growing out over the sand.

Hydnophora pilosa Picture was taken in March 2002 with a Nikon Coolpix 950 digital camera, no flash 4 months later and this coral is showing considerable growth. I’ve decided to increase some target feeding to this coral. I give it frequent squirts of my frozen mix.

Hydnophora pilosa Picture was taken in July 2002 with a Nikon Coolpix 950 digital camera, no flash The increased target feeding seems to have made a positive impact to the growth rate of this coral. September 2002: This coral kept attempting to encrust over a clam next to it and was starting to encrust onto the front glass. I’ve removed the coral and gave to my father to place in his reef tank.