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Animal-World > Coral Reef > Small Polyped Stony > Acropora Corals

Acropora Corals Animal-Image Your Comments

*Small Polyped Stony Index* Acropora Corals Acropora humilis Acropora Plate Coral Acropora tenuis Bird's Nest Coral Encrusting Fire Coral Horn Coral Montipora Plate Coral Staghorn Coral Velvet Stone Coral

Acropora Corals

Picture of a Green Fiji Acropora, Acpropora bushyensis
Green Fiji Acropora Coral
Acropora bushyensis

Photo courtesy: John Rice

The genus Acropora has over 20 species. The most common name for acropora corals is "staghorn coral". This fits many of the acropora species but other forms are shaped like tables, bushes or are a clustering coral. For instance, the coral above, called the Green Fiji, is a bushy coral (as evidenced by the name A. bushyensis).

Description:
Table acropora has short branches that reach upward to form a flat table-like structure. The surface of the table is perfectly flat in nature, so when placing it in the aquarium, make sure it is as flat as you can get it. Bushy corals have many tightly compacted branches and look bushy. Clustering acropora grows in various sized clusters that resemble cauliflower and is sometimes bumpy. Staghorn acropora has distinct branches that look like antlers.
Acropora comes in all kinds of colors but can change dramatically depending on the environment. A green coral at the dealer may well turn out brown after it has been acclimated to your aquarium. And vice versa, a brown coral may turn out green after bringing it home!

Lighting - Water flow:
Likes medium to strong water movement, prefers turbulent flow. Requires strong light from VHO or metal halide.

Difficulty of Care:
This is not hard to keep as long as the above requirements are met along with maintenance of calcium, strontium and trace elements. For this reason though it is not recommended for beginners.

Aggressiveness:
Can send out digestive strands called 'acontia' that are actually used to digest neighboring corals so keep an eye out for any problems.

Brown Acropora Coral

Picture of a Brown Acropora
Acropora sp.

Photo courtesy: John Rice

Staghorn Coral

Picture of a Staghorn Acropora
Acropora semoensis

Photo courtesy: John Rice

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