Acropora formosa

Datasheet

General Description

The Bali Maricultured Acropora formosa, commonly known as the Antler Coral, belongs to the Acroporidae family and is a small polyp stony (SPS) coral with bright blue or purple tips on each branch. These corals have a fast growth rate and can adapt well to various lighting conditions. They can be cultured and grown into new colonies from living fragments or broken pieces under ideal conditions.

Demands and Hardiness

Acropora formosa corals prefer moderately high light levels and strong intermittent water currents within the aquarium. To thrive, they require supplemental calcium, strontium, and other trace elements in the water. Lighting preferences range from power compacts, VHO, T-5's to more intense metal halides, with a minimum of 3 watts per gallon. Additional weekly feeding with micro-plankton or foods designed for filter-feeding invertebrates benefits their health.

Lighting

Moderate to high lighting is suitable for Acropora formosa. They can be kept under high output fluorescent bulbs like T5s but may benefit from more intense lighting such as metal halides. Coloration changes may occur based on the provided lighting, with potential dramatic color changes depending on tank conditions, primarily lighting.

Water Flow

Strong water movement is recommended for Acropora formosa corals. They thrive in aquariums with strong intermittent water currents, benefiting from adequate flow to maintain their health and vibrancy.

Feeding

Acropora, like most corals, heavily rely on their zooxanthellae for nutrition but also benefit from direct feeding. Feeding a mix of meaty rotifer-based foods with vitamin additives and highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) is recommended. It is crucial to ensure the food size is small enough for the polyps to ingest fully.

Propagation

Acropora formosa is suitable for propagation in captivity and is an excellent candidate for aquaculture. With extensive propagation efforts, it is plausible to achieve sustainable harvesting of these corals over time.

Localization & Habitat

Acropora formosa corals are primarily found in the Indo-Pacific region, including islands like Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef. When placed in a reef aquarium, they thrive best in middle to top locations and contribute to a peaceful temperament within the coral community.