Acropora sp.
| Care Level | Advanced |
| Lighting | High |
| Water Flow | High |
| Placement | Mid to upper rock |
| Aggression | Peaceful, but needs space |
| Coloration | Every color — the SPS showpiece |
Overview
Acropora is the iconic branching SPS coral of pristine reef tanks, prized for intense colors and fast growth under ideal conditions. It is demanding — a coral for experienced reefers with stable, mature systems.
Care & Placement
Requires high light (strong reef LEDs/T5), strong turbulent flow, and rock-solid stable water chemistry (calcium, alkalinity, magnesium). Place high in the tank with excellent flow. It is unforgiving of parameter swings — stability is everything.
Feeding
Photosynthetic; it derives most energy from light. Amino-acid and fine coral-food dosing can enhance color and growth, but pristine, stable water matters far more than feeding.
Propagation
Frag by snapping or cutting a branch and gluing it to a plug. Acropora frags color up and grow fast in a healthy system.
Cautions
Advanced only — sensitive to alkalinity swings, and prone to STN/RTN (tissue loss) if stressed. Watch for AEFW (Acropora-eating flatworms) and red bugs. Requires a mature, stable tank; not for beginners.