Staghorn Acropora
Acropora
Also known as Staghorn Coral, Table Acropora, Acro
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F (24–27°C)
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 9.8 in (25 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 40 gal (150 L)
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific reefs; wild, maricultured and aquacultured colonies all common in the trade
- Family
- Acroporidae
Overview
Sessile and moderately aggressive toward other SPS: Acropora colonies will fight and can sting or overgrow neighbors, including each other, where they touch, so leave real spacing for growth. It has no long sweeper tentacles of its own but is readily stung by LPS sweepers, so keep it clear of hammers, torches and similar. Suited to experienced keepers with mature, stable tanks.
In the wild
The classic branching and tabling SPS coral, the genus most people picture in a high-end reef tank. Acropora demands the most of any coral here: high light, often 250 to 600 PAR depending on the piece, and strong, turbulent, alternating flow to feed its tiny polyps and keep tissue clean. Place it high in the rockwork but acclimate it up gradually over weeks, since a sudden move into intense light will bleach it. It needs a well established, rock stable system.
Good to know
Acropora is a large zooxanthellate genus in the family Acroporidae, distinguished by an axial corallite at each branch tip that drives fast apical growth. Polyps are very small and the coral is heavily dependent on light and on rock stable alkalinity, calcium and low nutrients. It is the most demanding common aquarium SPS and the first to show stress from parameter swings.
Did you know
The axial polyp at the tip of each branch is the growth engine of the whole colony, and its color often differs from the body, which is why keepers watch those tips as the first sign a coral is thriving or in trouble.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- LiveAquaria Freshwater and saltwater fish, inverts and corals
- Saltwaterfish.com Marine fish, corals and inverts shipped overnight
- AlgaeBarn Copepods, macroalgae and captive-bred marine livestock
- Biota Captive-bred marine fish, corals and clams shipped direct
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
Keeping Staghorn Acropora?
Track water tests, reminders and stocking fit.
Related species
Smooth Skin Acropora
Acropora tenuis9.8 in (25 cm)40 gal (150 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Table Acropora
Acropora hyacinthus17.7 in (45 cm)53 gal (200 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Encrusting Montipora
Montipora confusa11.8 in (30 cm)26 gal (100 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Alveopora Coral
Alveopora7.9 in (20 cm)11 gal (40 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Montipora Digitata (Finger Coral)
Montipora digitata7.9 in (20 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Montipora Plating (Cap Coral)
Montipora capricornis7.9 in (20 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)