Origin

Care Level: Difficult

Placement: Middle to Top

Lighting: Moderate to High

Flow: Medium to Strong

Conditions: 74°-80°, s.g. 1.023-1.026, pH 8.1-8.4, Cal 400-450, dKH 8-12, Mag 1350-1500, Sr 10

Conditions & Placement

Requiring strong light and sufficient water movement Acros are among the more difficult corals to keep requiring stable tank conditions. They are sensitive to sudden changes such as temperature, chemical and other environmental stresses which could result in death. Careful acclimation to their new environment in the home aquarium is very important. Once placed in their permanent position it can take up to 6 months to regain their normal growth rates. Moving them around will cause stress and may lead to death.

Feeding

Acros receive the majority of their nutrition through their symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae fueled from the light. Feed zooplankton once a week can also be beneficial. Acros do best in aquariums with dissolved solid organic matter and may starve in less than optimal conditions. Signs of starvation would show as lack of new growth and or tissue recession.

Maintenance

Acros do best in clean and constant water conditions. Bi-weekly water changes of at least 10% are important for keeping water condition stable. Keep an eye on nitrate levels which need to be low. Check your Cal,Alk and Mag levels and strontium should be added to the water.

Warnings

Acros do best with other SPS. Some LPS corals can cause harm or death when coming into contact with Acros. Leather corals should be avoided as they release terpins that will eventually kill Acros. Caution needs to be taken with crabs as with the exception of a few might prey on Acros. Chocolate sea stars will eat Acros.

Signs of Problems

• - Bleaching

• - Receding

• - RTD

• - RTN

• - Flatworms