Common name
Acropora
Scientific name
Acropora spp.
Category
Coral
Group
Small-polyp stony corals
Environment
Marine reef aquarium
Origin
Tropical reef regions worldwide, with the greatest diversity in the Indo-Pacific; species ranges differ
Care level
Advanced
Adult size
Unknown at group level — compact clumps, branching colonies and multi-metre tables occur across the genus
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, chemically stable reef aquarium
Temperature
24–27 °C
pH
8.0–8.4
Hardness / minerals
Alkalinity 7–11 dKH; calcium 380–450 mg/L; magnesium 1,250–1,400 mg/L
Salinity
33–36 ppt; specific gravity about 1.024–1.027
Lighting
Species-specific, commonly about 150–400 PAR after gradual acclimation
Placement / zone
Middle to upper reef with room for flow, growth and shading
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

Acropora is a large, difficult genus. Trade names and colour do not establish species; preserve provenance and use skeletal colony characters.

Search names: staghorn corals, table corals

Environment and housing

Mature stable reef with high light appropriate to the species, strong random flow, secure attachment and substantial growth clearance

Social structure: Sessile colonial coral

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Photosynthesis plus dissolved and fine planktonic nutrition

Feeding routine: Maintain stable low-but-measurable nutrients; optional fine feeding in small amounts

Breeding, reproduction or spread

Sexual mass spawning in nature; aquarium propagation by fragmentation of healthy colonies

Parental care: None

Detailed care and app-ready planning

Identity scope
Acropora is a large, difficult genus. Trade names and colour do not establish species; preserve provenance and use skeletal colony characters.
Adult size and space
Maximum size is unknown at genus level and ranges from compact clumps to multi-metre tables. Start with at least 200 L and reserve large growth, flow and shading clearance.
Colony size and space
Maximum size is unknown at genus level and ranges from compact clumps to multi-metre tables. Start with at least 200 L and reserve large growth, flow and shading clearance.
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 sting risk is usually lower than many LPS corals, but rapid growth, contact and shading can kill neighbours. Allow 10–20 cm or more plus future colony architecture.
Swimming zone or placement
Middle to upper reef where strong random flow and species-appropriate light reach the entire colony.
Placement zone
Middle to upper reef where strong random flow and species-appropriate light reach the entire colony.
Feeding ecology
Photosynthetic, with uptake of dissolved nutrients and capture of very fine plankton.
Feeding plan
Maintain stable low-but-measurable nutrients and avoid sudden stripping. Optional fine feeding must not raise detritus or destabilise chemistry.
Water stability
Maintain 24–27 °C, pH 8.0–8.4, salinity 33–36 ppt, alkalinity 7–11 dKH, calcium 380–450 mg/L and magnesium 1,250–1,400 mg/L with very small daily variation.
Habitat structure
Use secure attachment, strong broad turbulent flow and gradual light acclimation. Leave room for flow through the colony as it thickens.
Compatibility plan
Prevent contact, allelopathy, shading and flow blockage. Place well away from aggressive LPS and soft corals.
Breeding or reproduction plan
Fragment only healthy pest-free colonies with clean tools. Quarantine and retain the correct species or lineage identity.
Propagation plan
Fragment only healthy pest-free colonies with clean tools. Quarantine and retain the correct species or lineage identity.
Quarantine
Inspect for Acropora-eating flatworms, red bugs, nudibranchs, eggs, tissue recession and algae. Use a dedicated stable coral quarantine system.
Quarantine and pest inspection
Inspect for Acropora-eating flatworms, red bugs, nudibranchs, eggs, tissue recession and algae. Use a dedicated stable coral quarantine system.
Welfare checks
Check polyp extension, colour, growth tips, base tissue, pests, bleaching, rapid tissue loss and whether inner branches receive flow.
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
Small instability or undetected pests can cause rapid whole-colony loss.
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: Prevent contact, shading and chemical competition; allow at least 10–20 cm plus future branch or table growth

Welfare: Reduced polyp extension, bleaching, tissue loss, pests or tip burn require immediate investigation of stability, light, flow and nutrients

Main warning: Genus-level trade names hide major differences in light, flow, colony form and adult spread

Biosecurity and release

Use legally sourced pest-free stock with traceable provenance. Check BICON, Live Import List and CITES requirements. Never release fragments or aquarium water.

Sources