Echinophyllia corals are found in rocky reefs and overhangs under ledges, at depths ranging from 30
to 75 feet. Before figuring out the proper placement of an Echinophyllia coral, it is crucial to understand
the role that zooxanthellae play in a coral. As corals have evolved under different circumstances, they
have adapted to absorb the sun’s rays at various depths based on their growth patterns.
Corals such as Echinophyllia and other deep-water species have a platelike growth pattern so they
can gather as much beneficial light (in such short supply at those depths) as possible. It can be assumed
that the level of the zooxanthellae’s photosynthetic productivity can be determined based on a coral’s
proximity to the surface. If a coral is placed out of its natural depth and forced to absorb too much light,
resulting in a level of saturation, all forms of growth, calcification, and metabolic rate will halt due to
exhaustion, and this cannot be reversed. Often, negative effects, such as zooxanthellae being unable to
properly photosynthesize or the forced development of excess oxygen, cause corals to bleach out rapidly.
Echinophyllia corals can be very forgiving in an aquarium once acclimated, but during initial adjustment they can be extremely finicky. The following parameters are recommended for wild specimens
being acclimated to a captive environment: Calcium 350–400 ppm, Alk 10–12 dKH, and Magnesium
1300–1400 ppm. The optimum PAR (Phytosynthetically Active Radiation) range depends on where the
coral was collected. When using the PAR meter to measure, a good range for Indo-Pacific Echinophyl-
Pink
Watermelon
Chalice colony
