Pocillopora damicornis
| Care Level | Intermediate — hardy SPS |
| Lighting | Moderate to high |
| Water Flow | Moderate to high |
| Placement | Mid to upper rock |
| Aggression | Peaceful |
| Coloration | Pink, green, brown bumpy branches |
Overview
Pocillopora (“Cauliflower” or “Bird’s Nest” relative) is a hardy, fast-growing branching SPS covered in wart-like bumps (verrucae). It is one of the most beginner-friendly SPS and often reproduces in the aquarium by dropping tiny “polyp bailout” babies that settle nearby.
Care & Placement
Give moderate-to-high light and turbulent flow. Mount mid-to-upper on rock. It is forgiving and fast-growing, and frequently self-propagates around the tank.
Feeding
Photosynthetic; stable parameters and light do the work. It also catches planktonic food and hosts symbiotic crabs in the wild.
Propagation
Easy to frag — snap a branch and glue to a plug. It also self-fragments via baby polyp colonies.
Full step-by-step: How to Frag Acropora and Other Branching SPS
Cautions
Hardy but keep alkalinity stable. Good flow prevents detritus buildup. Can spread on its own, so place where new colonies are welcome.