Family Merulinidae Verrill 1866. Five extant genera, all Pacific. All hermatypic. Readily identified by the families characteristic fused corallite wall/mounds called hydnophores. Strong septa are apparent even in open colonies.

Aquarium Care:

Hardy once established, but easily broken, given to tissue recession at first, bleaching from lack of light. Most require strong lighting, moderate current.

Genus Hydnophora Fischer de Waldheim 1807, Horn, Velvet, Knob Coral. Have short tentacles that originate at base of their hydnophores. More than capable of strongly stinging other sessile invertebrates. Eager feeders on sizeable meaty foodstuffs. Easily reproduced through fragmentation of healthy colonies.

Genus Merulina Ehrenberg 1834, Lettuce/Cabbage, Ruffled/Ridged Coral. Valleys are short, narrow, broadening before widening, fanning out at edges. Wandering plates to rising branches, often on the same colony. Not easy to keep in captivity.

Bibliography/Further Reading:

Coral Search

Borneman, Eric H. 2001. Aquarium Corals; Selection, Husbandry and Natural History. Microcosm-TFH NJ, USA. 464 pp.

Fossa, Svein A. & Alf Jacob Nilsen. 1998 (1st ed.). The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium, v.2 (Cnidarians). Bergit Schmettkamp Verlag, Borhheim, Germany. 479pp.

Hoover, John. 1998. Hawai'i's Sea Creatures. A Guide to Hawai'i's Marine Invertebrates. Mutual Publishing, Honolulu HI. 366pp. 

Humann, Paul. 1993. Reef Coral Identification; Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. New World Publications, Inc. Jacksonville, FL.  239pp.

Perun, Blane. 2001. Never say die- Treating Hydnophora corals. TFH 8/01.

Veron, J.E.N. 1986. Corals of Australia and the Indo-Pacific. U. of HI press, Honolulu. 644 pp. 

Veron, J.E.N. 2000. Corals of the World. Australian Institute of Marine Science. Queensland, Australia. three volumes.