Common name
Acropora valida
Scientific name
Acropora valida
Category
Coral
Group
Small-polyp stony corals
Environment
Marine reef aquarium
Origin
Tropical Indo-Pacific reefs; recorded across a broad range of reef flats and upper reef slopes
Care level
Advanced
Adult size
Colonies seldom exceed 0.5 m across; forms range from compact bushes to tables
Expected lifespan
Potentially decades under stable conditions; colony age is open-ended because living fragments can continue the same genet, so a fixed aquarium maximum is not defensible.
Minimum housing
At least 200 L in a mature reef aquarium with room for branch growth and flow
Temperature
24–27 °C
pH
8.0–8.4
Hardness / minerals
Alkalinity 7–9 dKH; calcium 400–450 mg/L; magnesium 1,250–1,400 mg/L
Salinity
33–35 ppt; specific gravity about 1.024–1.026
Lighting
About 200–400 PAR after gradual acclimation
Placement / zone
Middle to upper reef
Filtration
Use mature reef filtration with efficient skimming, controllable mechanical export and stable nutrient management. Do not strip nitrate and phosphate to zero, and size export and dosing for the colony’s increasing calcification and feeding demand.
Aeration
Provide strong whole-system gas exchange through surface movement, overflow and skimming, plus broad random circulation around all branches. Avoid narrow jets that abrade tissue or leave stagnant inner-colony zones.
Maintenance
Check temperature, salinity and alkalinity frequently; trend calcium, magnesium, nitrate and phosphate; remove settled detritus; inspect tissue, skeleton, mount and neighbours after lights out; and expand clearance as the colony grows.

Identity and search names

Species-level profile for Acropora valida. Similar species include A. nana, A. nasuta and A. subulata; retain provenance and do not identify from colour alone.

Search names: valid staghorn coral

Environment and housing

Secure the colony in a mature, stable reef with strong multidirectional flow, high light and open space around every branch.

Social structure: Sessile colonial coral

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Photosynthesis, dissolved nutrients and capture of very fine plankton

Feeding routine: Maintain stable measurable nutrients; optional fine feeding only if water quality remains stable

Breeding, reproduction or spread

Sexual spawning occurs in nature; aquarium propagation is by careful fragmentation of healthy pest-free colonies.

Parental care: None

Detailed care and app-ready planning

Identity scope
Species-level profile for Acropora valida. Similar species include A. nana, A. nasuta and A. subulata; retain provenance and do not identify from colour alone.
Adult size and space
Colonies seldom exceed 0.5 m across in the wild. Use at least 200 L and preserve open space for branching growth, internal water movement and future pruning.
Colony size and space
Colonies seldom exceed 0.5 m across in the wild. Use at least 200 L and preserve open space for branching growth, internal water movement and future pruning.
Social structure
Sessile colonial animal. The colony expands by polyp growth and must be managed as one growing territorial unit rather than as an isolated frag.
Aggression and spacing
Direct aggression is low, but tissue contact and shading cause damage. Allow at least 10–20 cm plus future branch growth.
Swimming zone or placement
Middle to upper reef with secure attachment and even light and flow across the colony.
Placement zone
Middle to upper reef with secure attachment and even light and flow across the colony.
Feeding ecology
Photosynthetic, with dissolved nutrient uptake and capture of very fine plankton.
Feeding plan
Maintain low but measurable nitrate and phosphate. Fine feeding is optional and must not create detritus or chemistry swings.
Water stability
Maintain 24–27 °C, pH 8.0–8.4, salinity 33–35 ppt, alkalinity 7–9 dKH, calcium 400–450 mg/L and magnesium 1,250–1,400 mg/L with minimal daily variation.
Habitat structure
Provide strong broad turbulent flow, gradual acclimation to about 200–400 PAR and enough open space for water to pass through the colony.
Compatibility plan
Keep away from aggressive corals, prevent shading and retain flow access as neighbouring colonies grow.
Breeding or reproduction plan
Fragment only a healthy pest-free colony with clean tools. Retain lineage and identification notes with every fragment.
Propagation plan
Fragment only a healthy pest-free colony with clean tools. Retain lineage and identification notes with every fragment.
Quarantine
Inspect for Acropora-eating flatworms and eggs, red bugs, nudibranchs, tissue recession and algae in a dedicated stable quarantine system.
Quarantine and pest inspection
Inspect for Acropora-eating flatworms and eggs, red bugs, nudibranchs, tissue recession and algae in a dedicated stable quarantine system.
Welfare checks
Check polyp extension, colour, growth tips, base tissue, pests, bleaching and water movement through branches.
Biosecurity and release
Use documented legal provenance. Verify BICON, Live Import List, CITES and state rules. Never release coral, fragments, pests or aquarium water.
Biosecurity, sourcing and release
Use documented legal provenance. Verify BICON, Live Import List, CITES and state rules. Never release coral, fragments, pests or aquarium water.
Main risk
Instability, pest introduction and unsupported visual identification.
Adult projected load
As colony surface area increases, calcification demand, night-time respiration, space use, detritus interception and optional feeding load all rise. Plan dosing, gas exchange, nutrient export and physical access for the mature colony rather than the purchased fragment.
Filtration
Use mature reef filtration with efficient skimming, controllable mechanical export and stable nutrient management. Do not strip nitrate and phosphate to zero, and size export and dosing for the colony’s increasing calcification and feeding demand.
Aeration
Provide strong whole-system gas exchange through surface movement, overflow and skimming, plus broad random circulation around all branches. Avoid narrow jets that abrade tissue or leave stagnant inner-colony zones.
Maintenance
Check temperature, salinity and alkalinity frequently; trend calcium, magnesium, nitrate and phosphate; remove settled detritus; inspect tissue, skeleton, mount and neighbours after lights out; and expand clearance as the colony grows.
Overridable warnings
Non-overridable: do not ignore progressive tissue recession, bleaching, exposed skeleton, pest evidence or direct coral contact. A knowledgeable user may use different light, flow, spacing or dosing methods only after gradual acclimation and documented stability show that the colony is not being damaged.

Compatibility, welfare and risk

Compatibility: Keep clear of aggressive corals and prevent contact, shading and flow obstruction.

Welfare: Investigate bleaching, base recession, rapid tissue loss, loss of polyp extension or tip burn by testing stability, flow, light and pests before moving or medicating the colony.

Main warning: Visual identification is difficult because colony form varies and several Acropora are similar. Colour or trade name alone is not enough.

Biosecurity and release

Use legally sourced, traceable and pest-free stock. Check BICON, the Live Import List, CITES and state rules. Never release coral, fragments, pests or aquarium water.

Sources