Hump Coral

About

Hump Coral (Porites panamensis) is a solid, no-frills coral that forms compact lobed masses or short stubby branches, with a surface that ranges from fairly smooth to gently undulating depending on conditions. Its coloration sits in a muted greenish-grey palette. Not the flashiest resident of a display tank, but it carries a natural, understated look that works well alongside more colorful neighbors. In the wild it occupies rocky foreshores, which tells you something about its character: this is a coral adapted to environments where surge, wave action, and variable conditions are the norm. That background makes it reasonably tolerant of flow fluctuations in aquaria, though you'll want to provide moderate, consistent movement to keep it healthy. Lighting should be on the higher end, so place it accordingly in your tank. Porites in general are famously hardy within the genus, but this particular species calls for some experience to keep well over the long term, largely because dialing in the right combination of light and nutrient levels takes a bit of practice. It is fully reef safe and poses no threat to neighboring corals through chemical aggression or sweeper tentacles. If you want a Pacific coral with a more natural, textural appearance rather than neon colors, this one is worth considering.