Echinopora

Echinopora lamellosa is a coral whose thin plates grow by forming spirals and layers; in the wild it can form broad stands exceeding five meters. Its corallites are small (3–4 mm) and evenly distributed over the surface. Its natural color is amber, brown or greenish. Fluorescent color forms sold in the trade under names such as "Hollywood Stunner" are grouped with the "chalice" corals. Its trade is subject to CITES Appendix II; choose an aquacultured frag.

• Light: Moderate, about 75–200 PAR; start with low light and increase it gradually.
• Flow: Moderate and indirect; detritus should not collect between the plates.
• Placement: The middle zone of the rockwork; do not let it touch the sand.
• Water parameters: Salinity 1.024–1.026, KH 7–10 dKH, calcium 400–450 mg/L, magnesium 1250–1350 mg/L.

It is photosynthetic. Feeding fine-grained coral food or chopped mysis once or twice a week after the lights go out speeds up growth.

At night it can put out long stinging "sweeper" tentacles; leave at least 10–15 cm between it and neighboring corals. The plates can spread quickly and shade the corals beneath them. It is easily propagated by taking edge pieces with coral cutters.