This Echinophyllia echinoporides species has the unique capability to develop extensive
nodule or branching growth forms. Its corallite centers are colored bright green and are similar
to Echinophyllia 'Alien Eye' corals. This is why it is referred to as the Branching or Noduling
Alien Eye. The main body of the coral can develop a Grey Blue coloration. The coral looks
very unique with its nodules, blue grey body and bright green eyes or corallites. In the
parent colony that Reeffarmers has acquired, polyps are partially extending during the day. The
first person who acquired colonies of this coral was the reef store Atlantis Aquarium. http://www.atlantisaquarium.net. Minquei and Joleen
of Atlantis have occasional sold fragments online. We first found out about this coral from
James Lee of
Aquascene. James also sells fragments of this coral and he first found out about the coral
from Minquei at Atlantis. Both stores are located in the East Bay area of the San Fransciso Bay.
The coral is very similar to image 2 on page 322 of Coral of the World Volume 2 by Veron.
This coral is rare in Australia and more common furthur north in the Indo-Pacific. The corals
we are farming were exported from Indonesia. Reeffarmers is maintaining a colony of this unique
Echinophyllia echinoporides species within our 225 gallon naturally filtered Quad-Zonal
Reef Aquarium. This captive reef is illuminated with a 400 watt 14,000 K Hamilton metal halide.
The Blue Grey color seems to develop better under more intense lighting. Reeffarmers parent
colony is recieving moderate light levels from this bulb. Please note this coral was retired on
December 2008 due to the loss of the seed.
Branching Echinophyllia Closeup of Green Corallites