Hump Coral

About

Hump Coral (Porites mayeri) is one of those slow-growing, architecturally imposing corals that really puts the reef in perspective. In the wild, colonies take on a broad hemispherical form that can exceed four meters across, becoming genuinely ancient structures on back reef margins, in lagoons, and along fringing reefs. The surface texture is smooth to gently lobed, and coloration tends toward cream or brown, though some colonies display purple or blue tones that can shift toward pink in photographs. In the aquarium, Porites in general are not the flashiest corals on the block, but they bring a solidity and naturalistic quality that suits a mature reef display well. Because wild colonies grow so large, hobbyists typically work with smaller frags or colonies that will remain manageable, and patience is definitely required since this genus is not known for rapid growth. Moderate flow suits it well, and high lighting supports its zooxanthellae. This is not a coral for beginners, intermediate reef-keeping experience is recommended, but for someone who wants to build a reef that looks genuinely wild rather than ornamental, Porites mayeri is a worthwhile long-term project.