CORAL PROFILE

Acropora hoeksemai – Deep Blue FI1012

Identification (taken from AIMS): Colonies may be over 2 metres across, composed of irregularly fused horizontal branches, with upturned pointed ends except at the colony perimeter. Colonies usually have a side attachment. Branches are irregularly spaced. Radial corallites are uniform, tubular, and neatly aligned along branches. 

Color: This specimen will keep its deep blue color under 10,000 K bulbs. For users with 20,000 K bulbs, your coral may appear blue for a long time, but the zoanthellae will keep the coral a tad brown.

Light Requirement: Because the nature of the blue color in corals, it is highly recommended to use at least 250W (either T5, VHO, or MH). Anything less, and you will need to move the coral near the top of the water surface.

Placement: If you use 250W over the coral, then you shouldn’t have a problem keeping it midway in your tank. Now, some have shallow reef tanks. Those who do, can keep them at lower areas of your reef. The average distance between the top of the water surface and your deep blue A. hoeksemai is 13″.

Water Motion Needs: Because it will grow very thick branchlets, the water movement around it must be strong. Initially, the coral will have very thin, delicate branchlets, but over time, you must increase the surge against the coral. If I could quantify the requirement, about 1200 gph is sufficient.

Food: Constant feeding is not required. The more light it gets, the more energy is generated through photosynthesis limiting the need for additional feedings of zooplankton.

Fragging Advice: Never frag this coral if it is smaller than 4-5″. Because delicate nature, you must be certain that you have allowed it to become established before fragging it.

What do you guys think? Did we cover everything? Do we need to cover more/less? Tell us about it!