JF TNT Anacropora Coral

You will receive a frag SIMILAR in shape and size to the coral in the photo. This is NOT a WYSIWYG frag.

Anacropora Coral

Anacropora is a genus of branching SPS (small polyp stony) coral in the family Acroporidae, the same family as Acropora and Montipora. Anacropora coral grows thin, finger-like branches that fork into dense, bushy colonies, with tiny polyps scattered along each branch. Unlike Acropora, its branches lack a prominent corallite at the tip, and reefers often compare its look to a fine, branching Montipora. Anacropora forskali is one of the better-known species in the genus.

Anacropora is a good fit for reefers who keep stable parameters and want a fast-growing branching coral without the demands of many Acropora. Its delicate branches do call for careful handling.

Anacropora Care at a Glance

Water Chemistry for Anacropora

The water conditions above come from our hard coral quick guide. Fast-growing branching corals like Anacropora draw steadily on calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium, so consumption can rise as a colony fills in. Test regularly and dose to keep levels stable rather than making large corrections.

Lighting

Moderate to high lighting from LEDs, T5 fluorescents, or metal halides supports good color and growth. Start a new frag in a less intense spot and move it up gradually. Watch for paling or bleaching, which can signal that the light is increasing too quickly.

Water Flow

Moderate to high, varied flow keeps detritus from settling between the fine branches and delivers food to the polyps. As a colony thickens, check that water still moves through its center, where poor flow can lead to tissue loss.

Placement

Mount your coral using IC gel glue, putty, or a combination of both. Place it on a rock or ledge that receives direct lighting and ample flow, with room to branch outward. Anacropora branches are thin and brittle, so position the frag away from rockwork edges and tankmates that might knock it, and handle it gently.

What We Feed

Anacropora gets much of its energy from photosynthesis, but supplemental feeding supports growth and color. We recommend broadcast feeding a mixture of zooplankton, phytoplankton, amino acids, and other organic proteins with pumps off, so the coral can capture what it needs. Our recommended feeds:

• Reef Genetics lab-cultured phytoplankton
• Polyp Lab ReefRoids
• Benepets BeneReef

Corals grown in our aquaculture facility are lit by EcoTech Marine Radion XR30s and powered by a mix of EcoTech Marine Vortech pumps and Sicce wavemakers.

Coloration and Settling In

Anacropora color depends on lighting, nutrition, and water stability. A new frag may pause its growth while it adjusts. Once settled, it can branch quickly, and broken branches can often be glued down to start new colonies.

Common Anacropora Challenges

• Breakage: thin branches snap easily during handling, aquascaping, or contact with tankmates
• Tissue loss at the base: often from shading or poor flow inside a dense colony; prune to open it up
• Bleaching: caused by sudden increases in light or temperature; acclimate gradually
• Parameter swings: fast growth makes stable calcium and alkalinity especially important

How to Acclimate an Anacropora Frag

1. Temperature: float the sealed bag in your aquarium to equalize temperature.
2. Water: slowly add your tank water to the bag so the coral can adjust to your parameters.
3. Mounting: handle the frag by its plug and attach it with IC gel glue, putty, or both.
4. Lighting: start in a less intense spot and move the frag up gradually over a few weeks.