Can beginners keep this coral?

This species is considered suited to experienced keepers, so it can be challenging for those new to Acropora. It's best attempted after you've gained some experience managing water quality, lighting, and flow.

How large does it grow?

Individual branches are roughly 5 to 12mm wide and grow to a maximum length of around 45mm. The overall colony can take on massive, plate-like, or bottlebrush forms depending on how it develops.

How does the colony's shape change over time?

It can develop as a massive or plate-like colony, or grow into a stalked, bottlebrush shape depending on conditions. Part of the appeal is that individual colonies of the same species can end up looking quite different.

Where should it be placed in the tank?

Since it naturally grows at depths of 5 to 25 meters, choose a spot with strong, stable lighting and flow. Keeping enough distance from other Acropora also gives it room to grow.

Can it be kept alongside other corals?

Different Acropora can compete with one another, so it's recommended to leave adequate space between colonies. It tends to coexist well with other Acropora that have similar lighting and water quality needs.

Acropora Loripes

Acropora loripes, known in Japanese as Marudutsu Hanagasa Midoriishi, is a versatile Acropora coral whose colony shape ranges from massive and plate-like forms to a distinctive bottlebrush growth with branching stalks. Its tube-shaped radial corallites sit so closely packed that they nearly touch, giving the coral a dense, textured surface that stands out in any reef tank. First described from Australia's Great Barrier Reef, it naturally occurs at depths of 5 to 25 meters, meaning captive care calls for carefully balanced lighting and water flow. Considered a coral for experienced keepers, it rewards patience as its branches gradually extend and fill out over time.

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Acropora Loripes key facts

Care level: Advanced
Size: Branchlets 5-12 mm wide and up to 45 mm long
Temperature: 24〜27℃
Diet: Mainly nutrition from symbiotic zooxanthellae, supplemented with powdered or liquid coral foods and phytoplankton.
Lighting: Requires strong light. AlgaeBarn cites successful Acropora keeping at PAR 800 or more. Start newly added colonies under reduced light and raise it over several weeks.
Flow & Placement: Growth form is unpredictable, ranging from heads to plates to bottlebrushes, so watch which way the colony develops before settling on a final position. Give it strong, randomised flow.
Water Temperature & Quality: Water 22-26C, specific gravity 1.023-1.025, KH 8-12, calcium 380-440 ppm, magnesium 1300-1400 ppm. Sudden swings in alkalinity are the most common cause of tissue loss.
Feeding: Most of its nutrition comes from photosynthesis by its zooxanthellae. Powdered or liquid coral foods and phytoplankton can be offered as a supplement, but stable light and water chemistry matter more than feeding.
Notes: The crowded radial corallites trap detritus easily. On the Great Barrier Reef it spawns after the November and December full moons. Listed on CITES Appendix II.

TraitsSPSAcroporaStony coralCITES II

About Acropora Loripes

Acropora loripes is a variable Acropora coral ranging from massive to bottlebrush-shaped colonies, with densely packed tube-shaped corallites — a species suited to experienced reef keepers.

7 things to know before welcoming a Acropora Loripes

1Best Suited to Experienced Keepers
Beyond the general challenges of keeping Acropora, this species needs consistently stable water quality to keep its densely packed corallites healthy. It's better suited to hobbyists who already have some Acropora experience than to first-time keepers.
2Needs Strong Light and Flow
In the wild it grows at depths of 5 to 25 meters, favoring bright light and moving water. In the aquarium, provide adequate lighting along with flow that reaches all the polyps evenly to support its health.
3Highly Variable Colony Shape
This coral can grow as a massive or plate-like colony, or develop into a stalked, bottlebrush form. Watching its shape shift with growing conditions is part of the appeal of keeping it long-term.
4Densely Packed Corallites
Its tube-shaped radial corallites sit so close together that they nearly touch, giving it a texture distinct from many other Acropora. This dense arrangement becomes more pronounced as the skeleton grows.
5Compact Branch Size
Branches typically measure about 5 to 12mm wide and grow no longer than around 45mm, making this a relatively compact Acropora. That modest scale makes it easier to plan its placement within a reef layout.
6Sensitive to Water Swings
Like most Acropora, it's sensitive to sudden shifts in calcium, alkalinity, and other parameters. Regular testing along with consistent water changes and dosing routines help keep conditions steady.
7Check Your Setup First
Because this is considered a species for experienced keepers, it's worth confirming your tank already has reliable lighting, flow, and water quality management in place before bringing one home. Prior experience keeping other Acropora will help you settle it in with more confidence.

Frequently asked questions about Acropora Loripes

Q.Can beginners keep this coral?: A.This species is considered suited to experienced keepers, so it can be challenging for those new to Acropora. It's best attempted after you've gained some experience managing water quality, lighting, and flow.
Q.How large does it grow?: A.Individual branches are roughly 5 to 12mm wide and grow to a maximum length of around 45mm. The overall colony can take on massive, plate-like, or bottlebrush forms depending on how it develops.
Q.How does the colony's shape change over time?: A.It can develop as a massive or plate-like colony, or grow into a stalked, bottlebrush shape depending on conditions. Part of the appeal is that individual colonies of the same species can end up looking quite different.
Q.Where should it be placed in the tank?: A.Since it naturally grows at depths of 5 to 25 meters, choose a spot with strong, stable lighting and flow. Keeping enough distance from other Acropora also gives it room to grow.
Q.Can it be kept alongside other corals?: A.Different Acropora can compete with one another, so it's recommended to leave adequate space between colonies. It tends to coexist well with other Acropora that have similar lighting and water quality needs.