Bi-Weekly Species Profile: Acropora Millepora

SPECIES PROFILE

May, Week 2

ACROPORA MILLEPORA

Family: Acroporidae

Genus: Acropora

Abundance: Common

Distribution: Australia, Indonesia, Micronesia

Habitat: Very shallow waters, sometimes found in lagoons

Ease of care (out of 5): 5

(1 Hardest, 5 Easiest)

Hobby Availability (out of 5): 5

(1 Least, 5 Most)

Growth Formation: plating

Growth Speed: moderate to fast

(under ideal conditions)

Light: moderate to high

Flow: random, turbulent to still

Fish Incompatibility: Angels (dwarf and regular), Butterflies (except Longnose, Copperband, Longfin)

Known Pests: Red bugs

Acropora millepora is one SPS (small polyp stony) coral that is readily available for the hobbyists. Due to its wide range of coloration, it ranks as one of the most kept SPS coral. Many milleporas have two colors, one for the tips and one for the body. On an odd occasion, a third color could be visible from the actual polyp. Thus, it creates a tri-color millepora, which is spectacular to observe.The actual coral is structured of radial corallites, which are equal in size. They descend from the tip, and give it a scale like appearance. Their branches are uniform in size, and grow in a table like fashion. One observation of this species in an enclosed environment is that as it sits under higher intensity light, it begins to lose/retract its polyps. This is believed to happen when the coral decides to maximize its surface area for light absorption. Inversely, as it rests lower in an aquarium, its polyps shag out to reach for food.

A note regarding compatibility with fish, Angels and Butterfly love picking at the polyps, since they are so long. The unfortunate benefit from that is the millepora gains a lot more color. Angels tend to be safer out of the two species of fish, due to many reports from reefers having success. Butterfly, other the other hand, prey on small polyped corals.

Here are some amazing pictures of this species:

Here are some sought after A. milleporas:

Stay tuned next week, as we will look at another HOT coral…. Acanthastrea lordhowensis.

(Want your picture featured next time? Submit it to fragd.it!)

Related posts:

1. Bi-Weekly Species Profile: Acanthastrea lordhowensis
2. Bi-Weekly Species Profile: Montipora Capricornus
3. Bi-Weekly Species Profile: Blastomussa wellsi
4. Fragd.it New Release: Christmas Millepora
5. Oooh, Aaah, For Acropora

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