Anacropora forbesi

Ridley, 1884

Briar Coral

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea, Eastern Africa, Christmas Islands, Coco-Keeling Islands, Indonesia, Southern Japan, East China Sea, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, and Australia.

Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow, usually turbid reef environments and often see at depths between 6 to 85 feet (2 - 25 m).

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade.

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

Some forethought needs to be given to newly received specimens as to their initial lighting requirements. Begin by placing the specimen where it will receive moderate light, e.g., 250 - 300 PAR. Move to slightly higher PAR levels only after becoming fully acclimated to initial surrounding conditions.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Cnidaria

Class: Anthozoa

Subclass: Hexacorallia

Order: Scleractinia

Family: Acroporidae

Genus: Anacropora

FYI: In the wild, a thin branching fragile coral, usually tan with cream branch tips.

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: Moderately difficult

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: 74 - 83°F (23 - 28°C)

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Lighting: PAR 250 - 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.