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Echinophyllia

Echinophyllia is a genus of large polyp stony corals (LPS) and is counted among the chalices and also mostly sold under this name, because an exact species classification and differentiation of these similarly shaped corals is almost impossible. Specimens of Echinophyllia are found in the Red Sea and Indo-Pacific to Japan and the Central Pacific. The growth habit is plate-like or encrusting over substrate, and in nature the sites are often sheltered from currents on the lower reef slopes. According to molecular studies, Echinophyllia is surprisingly more closely related to the Lobophyllidae than to the Mussidae as previously thought. Echinophyllia need a lot of nutrients, especially an increased phosphate level promotes growth. They require little current - but enough to prevent sediment deposition - and low lighting with PAR levels only around 30-40. Spectacular color morphs are sometimes present, but most corals are gray-blue to green.

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