Acropora abrolhosensis

Veron, 1985

Fuzzy Staghorn Coral, Eraser-tip Coral

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: East China Sea, Japan, Coral Sea, Great Barrier Reef and the Solomon Islands.

Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoons and reef slopes protected from strong wave action and is seen at depths between 6 to 65 feet (2 - 20 m).

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade and generally having a pinkish, eraser-like tip on the end of each fuzzy looking branch, which is overall usually blue to purplish.

Placement in aquariums should be where it will receive direct strong light that should total about 6 hours per day along with moderate water movement.

Even though fully capable of producing all its nutritional needs via photosynthesis, plankton-like foodstuffs fed occasionally may be beneficial/promote quicker growth.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Acroporidae

Genus: Acropora

FYI: Cultured frags widely available and in many cases, with intensity of color/colors depending greatly on the lighting/water quality conditions of the culturing areas.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Diet: Photosynthetic/Plankton feeder

Temperament: Peaceful

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Coral Safe: With caution

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Hardiness: Moderate

Calcium (Ca): 380 - 430 mg/l

Alkalinity: 2.5 - 3.0 meq/l

Phosphate (PO4): <0.05 mg/l

Magnesium (Mg): approx. 1350 mg/l (relate to specific gravity)

Strontium (Sr) 8 - 10 mg/l

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 - 27°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Lighting: PAR 400+

Water Movement: WM 2

Specific Gravity: 1.023 - 1.025

pH: 8.0 - 8.4

Iodine/Trace Elements Monitor/as necessary to maintain quality seawater.