Green Gelato Acropora

WYSIWYG — the coral pictured is the exact specimen you receive, not a stock photo. Quantity one.

Dark purple or blue base with fluorescent green polyps and branch tips.

At a glance

• Species: Acropora sp.
• Colony: 1
• Frag size: 1.75" across
• Placement: Upper third of the rockwork
• Mounted on: ceramic frag plug

Care

Acropora is the most demanding group in the hobby and belongs in an established, stable system. It wants strong turbulent flow, high light, and tightly held alkalinity, calcium and magnesium. Acclimate to light slowly over several weeks — bleaching from a sudden move to the top of the tank is the usual failure.

Acclimation

Float the sealed bag for 15 minutes to equalise temperature, then drip acclimate for 30–45 minutes before placing. Start the coral low in the tank and move it up over a week or two if it wants more light. A freshwater or iodine dip before it goes in is cheap insurance against hitchhikers.

Photographed under blue/actinic aquarium lighting, which is how most reef tanks are viewed. Colours will look different under white light.