Description
Acropora are one of the most common corals found on the reef. They can be found mostly in the Indo-Pacific, but Acropora are found off the coasts of almost every continent in the world. Purple Jade Bonsai Acropora are found in several regions of the Indo-Pacific. However, this particular strain is aquacultured by ORA. Instead of being collected from the ocean, these corals are grown in aquariums and then fragged to be sold to hobbyists such as yourself. Aquacultured corals come with lots of benefits that will be discussed below. Many hobbyists, especially beginners, are intimidated by the care requirements and sensitivity of Acropora. They are not an easy or even moderately difficult coral to care for. However, with the right knowledge and care requirements, these corals become beautiful colonies. In case you’re new to keeping Acropora, let’s go over some of the basic care requirements so you can grow your own Purple Jade Bonsai Acropora colony. To start, let’s talk about lighting. Acropora are generally light demanding corals (though there are some less common deep water Acropora). They should be provided medium to high light. Ideally, you should give Acropora 200-300 micromoles of PAR for proper coloration, though some species benefit from even higher lighting. This particular Acropora does not need super intense lighting and may even get by with lighting slightly lower than 200 micromoles of PAR. Lighting is crucial for the coloration of Acropora and can cause lots of color variation. Regardless of where you end up putting your Acropora, make sure to acclimate them first by starting them in lower light and slowly moving them into higher light during a month or even a few months. Placing corals under intense lighting immediately greatly risk bleaching, loss of color, and death. Let’s move onto flow. Acropora require moderate to strong flow. Acropora should be placed in the highest flow areas of your aquarium if possible. Ideally, the flow should be irregular and random to avoid dead spots and to encourage proper growth. Flow is important because it keeps the coral clean of detritus and delivers needed nutrients and elements to the coral. Acropora require consistent levels of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium. Sudden fluctuations with these parameters can be devastating for Acropora, so make sure you’re able to keep these levels stable. Usually, keeping Acropora requires dosing, kalkwasser, a calcium reactor, or a combination of these methods. Make sure your nutrients are in a good place as well. Generally, your nitrates shouldn’t get over 5 ppm but should stay at or above 1ppm (some hobbyists may recommend even lower nitrates). Your phosphates should be as close to 0.01 ppm as possible but not 0. Keep your temperature at 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit and stable. Acropora are considered photosynthetic corals, though they can benefit from feeding as long as the food particle size is small enough and when done in moderation. Remember, it is almost always better not to feed corals (photosynthetic ones) at all or feed very little than to feed too much.
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
Aquacultured corals such as this Purple Jade Bonsai Acropora from ORA are better adapted to aquarium conditions and overall hardier than corals collected from the wild. They are also far less likely to carry diseases and pests, though you should still dip and/or quarantine them to be safe. On top of that, aquacultured corals are more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Keep your aquarium free of pests and do your part to lower the impact the hobby has on real reefs!
