Description
The Verde Acropora is similar to the ORA Purple Nana Acropora but with thinner and shorter branches. It has a forest green base with peach pink growth tips. The coloration can vary depending on the type of lighting and the intensity of the lighting. The pink coloration is only apparent under intense lighting.
Acropora are found all over the Indo-Pacific and in other regions of the world as well. This particular Acropora is aquacultured by ORA. Instead of being collected from the ocean, this coral is grown in aquariums and then fragged to be sold to hobbyists such as yourself.
Acropora are not easy to keep corals. They are sensitive to fluctuations and will lose color easily if the proper care is not given. Despite this, many hobbyists keep Acropora with outstanding success. With some knowledge and experience, you can too. In case you’re unfamiliar with keeping Acropora, let’s go over some of the basic care requirements.
To start, we’ll discuss lighting. Lighting is a topic deserving several articles worth of information, but we’ll cover the basics for Acropora. Acropora are notorious for needing intense lighting. They are some of the most light demanding corals, requiring around 200-300 micromoles of PAR. Some species benefit from even higher PAR. Before you place your Acropora under high light, acclimate it first. Start the coral in more moderate lighting, then slowly move it into higher light over a month or even a few months. This will greatly reduce the risk of bleaching and color loss.
Moving on, let’s talk about flow. As with lighting, Acropora are flow loving corals. Most of the time, the more flow the better. It is difficult, if not impossible, to provide too much flow with common aquarium equipment. However, the flow should be irregular and random to avoid dead spots and to promote proper growth.
Speaking of base elements, Acropora require proper water chemistry to grow and remain healthy. You need to provide stable and elevated levels of calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium. While keeping these parameters perfectly stable is impossible, you need to keep them as stable as possible. Large enough fluctuations can be devastating for Acropora. Keeping lots of stony corals often requires the use of a calcium reactor, kalkwasser, or dosing. These methods of base element supplementation demand experience and knowledge to use properly.
Regarding nitrates, there is no specific level you must be at. Some hobbyists will argue that you should have nutrient levels as close to 0 as possible, while others claim Acropora can tolerate nitrates up to 10 ppm. A good range to shoot for is 1-5 ppm of nitrates and phosphates as close to 0.01 ppm as possible but not 0.
Lastly, let’s discuss feeding. Acropora don’t require feeding because they are considered photosynthetic. However, feeding can promote better coloration and faster growth. To avoid nutrients spikes, spot feed or dose live phytoplankton, which is perfect for feeding corals.
Care requirements
Purchase Size: 1 – 2″
Placement: Middle to top
Lighting: Medium to high.
Flow: Moderate to strong.
Parameters: 72-78° F, 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 Verde Acropora from ORA are better adapted to aquarium conditions and overall hardier than corals collected from the ocean. They are also far less likely to carry pests and disease, though you should still dip and/or quarantine them to be safe. These corals are also more sustainable and environmentally friendly!
