Description
Acropora are one of the most common corals in the reef. They are a reef building coral, which means they makeup a large percentage of the structures in the ocean’s reefs. Acropora are found all over the Indo-Pacific, from the Indian ocean to the Great Barrier Reef. However, the frags sold here are aquacultured by ORA. This means they are grown on land in aquariums instead of being collected from the ocean. There are lots of benefits to this that we will discuss below.
This Acropora is, of course, green, although the exact coloration can vary greatly depending on several conditions, especially lighting. This coral grows thick, yet relativity short branches, forming a round sort of clump shape. Although Acropora are one of the most common coral on the reef, they can be quite difficult to care for in a home aquarium. Let’s go over some of the main care requirements for this coral. Acropora are known for their high light and flow demands. This coral requires the best lighting and flow equipment. Let’s start with lighting. Acropora love light. Without enough light, they can lose color and eventually die. Acropora should be kept under 200-300 micromoles of PAR. However, some Acropora can benefit from up to 750 micromoles of PAR. Regardless of where you put your Green Humilis Acropora, make sure to acclimate it to the light first. Do this by starting the coral low in the aquascape and slowly moving it up. Having intense and powerful flow is just as important as having bright lights, if not more. Having lots of flow brings nutrients to the corals and moves waste away from them. It is pretty hard to have too much flow for these corals. Although, it is ideal to have random, irregular flow instead of constant flow.
Another thing that makes Acropora difficult is their need for stability and high water quality. For this reason, Acropora are best kept by experienced reefers and/or established aquariums. You must ensure that your calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium are at a good place and stable. Sure, some minute fluctuations are fine, but even moderate fluctuations can cause lots of issues for this coral. Also, make sure your other parameters are stable. Your temperature should be within 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit and stable. Your nitrates should be 1-5 ppm and your phosphates should be just barley detectable, but not zero. Acropora contain a photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae which provides the coral with most of its nutritional needs. For this reason, this coral does not need to be fed. However, it can benefit from dosing phytoplankton and feeding coral food as long as the particle size is small enough.
Care requirements
Purchase Size: 1 – 2″
Placement: Middle to top.
Lighting: Medium to high.
Flow: Moderate to strong.
Parameters: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 32-35 ppt
Calcium: 350-450 ppm
Alkalinity: 8-12 dKH
Magnesium: 1,250-1,350 ppm
More Information
As you know, this Green Humilis Acropora is aquacultured by ORA. While aquacultured corals tend to be more expensive, they are hardier and better adapted to aquarium life. They have a much higher chance of surviving and doing well in your aquarium. They are also far less likely to carry pests and disease, though you should still dip them to be safe.
