Branching fire coral (Millepora alcicornis) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Fire coral, Sea ginger
Family
Milleporidae (hydrozoan)
Origin
Western Atlantic and Caribbean, from Bermuda and Florida to Brazil; shallow reefs; also reported in the eastern Atlantic
Water
saltwater
Care level
expert
Reef safe
with_caution
Lighting
High
Flow
Strong

Care

Millepora alcicornis is not a true stony coral but a hydrozoan with a hard limestone skeleton. It forms flat, fork-branched or encrusting colonies, mustard-yellow to brown with paler tips. Its surface is covered with tiny pores holding stinging hairs, which is where the name "fire coral" comes from. It stings people: contact causes a burning rash that can last days. Wear gloves when handling it and take care when working in the tank. It is rarely kept and does poorly in many aquariums. Place it high in the rockwork with strong light and strong flow, in a mature, stable reef. Keep a standard reef: about 24–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity around dKH 8–11, calcium about 400–450 ppm and magnesium about 1250–1350 ppm. Neither LiveAquaria nor Top Shelf Aquatics lists this species; the figures are general guidance for the genus, not from a source. Selling: this is a CITES Appendix II coral. Frags grown in the UK can be sold freely; wild-collected or imported pieces must have been legally imported with CITES paperwork. Sources: general reef-keeping guidance; neither LiveAquaria nor Top Shelf Aquatics lists this species. Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic, with zooxanthellae, and it also catches tiny plankton with its stinging hairs. Fine zooplankton foods may help.

Breeding

Pieces can be snapped off and glued to a plug, but always wear gloves. It is seldom propagated in the hobby.

Compatibility and tank mates

Stings neighbouring corals on contact and stings people. Give it plenty of room (15 cm or more) and keep hands away.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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