Abstract: Two ecological types of rugose coral fauna can be recognized in the Shiqiantan Formation (Upper Carboniferous), Northeast margin of the Junggar Basin. One is the Cyathoxonia fauna dominated by small solitary forms without dissepiments. The other is the Caniniid-Clisiophyllid fauna dominated by large forms with dissepiments. It is considered that the rugose coral fauna from the Shiqiantan Formation lived in a barrier coastal environment of an extratropical climate in mid to high latitude. The Cyathoxonia fauna lived in the relatively isolated, low-energy and shallow-water lagoons connected to the open sea; while the Caniniid-Clisiophyllid fauna lived in the mid to high energy reef flat environments, which was suitable for coral growth, on the seaward side of the atoll.