Red Acropora
Red acropora corals are one of the more brilliantly colored acropora corals in existence, and are found populating reefs in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. When found in nature, colonies of red acropora corals grow as large as three meters across in some reef systems.
Red Acropora And Warming
Like other members of the acropora species, red acropora corals are at increasing risk for widespread mortality due to the rising temperatures in ocean waters. There are many types of stressors that can lead to death among red acropora corals, but global warming is the number one cause of the mass bleaching events that are killing red acropora corals all over the world. Bleaching in red acropora corals occur when the symbiotic algae that reside under the corals surface leave its host in mass quantities. Because red acropora corals depend on the algae to provide it with energy and nutrients from photosynthesis, red acropora corals will not survive if the population is depleted.
Red Acropora Bleaching
Bleaching in red acropora corals occur when the symbiotic algae that reside under the corals surface leave its host in mass quantities. Because red acropora corals depend on the algae to provide it with energy and nutrients from photosynthesis, red acropora corals will not survive if the population is depleted.
Red Acropora In The Reef Aquarium
Red acropora corals require a combination of water conditions that can be too diverse for many specimens, adding an extra set of challenges for maintaining healthy red acropora specimens in captivity. Parameters that help the tank become a thriving environment for acropora corals include bright lighting sources, even temperatures, and constant water movement within the tank.
Red Acropora Growth Rate
Even a small degree of variance from these preferred settings can lead to sickness and even death for the red acropora coral. Because of the extraordinarily fast growth rate among red acropora corals, many reef hobbyists find much success in cultivating specimens in captivity. If performed effectively, new red acropora specimens can ultimately create colonies as large as a soccer ball in less than two years. Unfortunately, setting up a home tank with these conditions usually requires a larger budget than the average home aquarium project. Many aquarists cite these financial obligations as the main reason they avoid keeping red acropora as part of their reef systems.
Red Acropora Predators
Red acropora corals are not exempt from predators. In fact, coral-eating flatworms, nudibranches and red bugs find red acropora corals to be particularly attractive, and can burrow their way into the coral within a short period of time, providing large amounts of damage to the red acropora colony. These are just one of the many reasons that red acropora specimens should be quarantined for at least two weeks before being placed in the aquarium.
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