{"product_id":"baby-blue-branching-hydnophora-rigida","title":"Baby Blue Branching Hydnophora Rigida","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBaby Blue Branching Hydnophora rigida (Fiji)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCoral Overview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\nThis Baby Blue Branching \u003cem\u003eHydnophora rigida\u003c\/em\u003e is an unusual SPS coral collected from Fiji and notable for its cool-toned blue coloration. Unlike the more familiar neon green Hydnophora varieties, this colony develops a soft baby blue to teal coloration that gives it a very different visual character in reef aquariums.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nThe coral forms thick branching structures with blunt tips, each covered in dense pointed hydnophores that create the rough, spiked texture characteristic of the genus. Between the skeletal projections, small polyps extend across the surface, adding subtle movement and softening the rugged skeletal structure.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nAs the colony matures it develops sturdy upright branches that add strong vertical structure to the reef. The combination of branching growth and cool blue coloration makes this a distinctive Hydnophora compared to the brighter green strains more commonly seen in the aquarium trade.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nWe used the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ndaquaculture.ca\/collections\/reef-charge\/products\/hydroshock-3-part-complete-system\"\u003eHydroShock 3 Part Complete System\u003c\/a\u003e to grow this coral. It includes calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, and trace elements in the ratios that corals consume them.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eHydnophora rigida\u003c\/em\u003e generally adapts well to stable reef aquariums with moderate to high lighting and strong, turbulent water movement. These conditions help maintain coral health and keep the textured colony surface free of debris.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate to high reef lighting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate to strong, turbulent flow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mid to upper rockwork with space for branch development\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Form:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thick branching with blunt tips and dense hydnophores\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nProviding open space around the colony allows branches to develop naturally and reduces the risk of contact with nearby corals as the colony grows.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFeeding \u0026amp; Nutrition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\nLike most reef-building corals, Hydnophora receives much of its energy through photosynthesis from symbiotic zooxanthellae. A healthy reef environment with balanced nutrients, plankton availability, and active microbial communities can support long-term coral health.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nMany reef aquariums benefit from the addition of live plankton and beneficial microbial populations. Products such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ndaquaculture.ca\/collections\/planktura\/products\/rhodomonas-live-phytoplankton\"\u003eRhodomonas Live Phytoplankton\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ndaquaculture.ca\/collections\/planktura\/products\/isochrysis-live-phytoplankton\"\u003eIsochrysis Live Phytoplankton\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ndaquaculture.ca\/collections\/planktura\/products\/palustris-live-bacteria-bacto-fuel\"\u003ePalustris Live Bacteria Bacto Fuel\u003c\/a\u003e can contribute to broader reef nutrition and microbial balance as part of a well-managed aquarium.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKnown Sensitivities\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\nHydnophora species are known for their aggressive behavior toward nearby corals. \u003cem\u003eHydnophora rigida\u003c\/em\u003e can extend sweeper tentacles capable of stinging neighboring colonies, so adequate spacing should be provided when placing this coral in a reef aquarium.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nLike other SPS corals, stability is important. Sudden swings in alkalinity, salinity, temperature, or nutrient levels may stress newly introduced colonies until they acclimate to the system.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eShipping \u0026amp; Arrival Guarantee\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\nAll corals are carefully packed to maintain stable conditions during transit. We use insulated packaging and temperature control when necessary to help reduce shipping stress.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\nFor full details about our policies, please review our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ndaquaculture.ca\/pages\/shipping\"\u003eShipping information\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ndaquaculture.ca\/pages\/arrive-alive-guarantee\"\u003eArrive Alive Guarantee\u003c\/a\u003e.\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New Dawn Aquaculture","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45803100438782,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0058\/6242\/4647\/files\/Baby-Blue-Branching-Hydnophora_NDA.jpg?v=1726232201","url":"https:\/\/ndaquaculture.ca\/products\/baby-blue-branching-hydnophora-rigida","provider":"New Dawn Aquaculture","version":"1.0","type":"link"}