Corals
SPS – Acropora: The Queen of SPS Corals
Acropora is considered the queen of SPS corals and is one of the most diverse and sought-after coral genera in the reef hobby. With over 150 species and an extraordinary range of shapes and colors, it's a true centerpiece in any reef tank. Its demanding care and rapid growth make it ideal for experienced reefers.
Appearance & Diversity
Acropora corals display an impressive range of growth forms – from branching and bushy colonies to plate-like tables. Their colors span vibrant blues, greens, pinks, reds, yellows, and purples – most intense under strong lighting and low nutrients.
Lighting & Care
Acropora requires powerful lighting systems such as LEDs, T5s or metal halides. Strong, alternating flow is key to nutrient uptake and avoiding detritus buildup. Supportive technology can be found in our aquarium equipment section.
Water Quality & Nutrition
Stable parameters are vital: Calcium (420–450 ppm), Magnesium (1250–1350 ppm), Alkalinity (7–9 dKH), Nitrate (2–10 ppm), and Phosphate (0.03–0.05 ppm). Acropora relies on photosynthesis but benefits from trace elements and amino acids for enhanced color and growth.
Placement & Growth
Best placed in upper reef zones with direct light and turbulent flow. Acropora grows quickly into large colonies – allow enough space to prevent encroachment on neighboring corals.
Care Tips & Challenges
Highly sensitive to environmental fluctuations, Acropora is prone to tissue loss (RTN/STN) under stress. Regular testing, stable conditions, and strong flow are essential to long-term success.
Species Diversity & Popular Varieties
Top choices among reefers include:
Acropora tenuis – vivid blue, dense branches
Acropora millepora – fluffy polyps, vivid colors
Acropora valida – vibrant gradients, fast-growing
Acropora humilis – thick bushy growth, flow-loving
Discover true WYSIWYG Acropora corals in our SPS Acropora category – what you see is exactly what you get!
Explore more varieties like Montipora SPS and browse our complete SPS coral collection.
Acropora is a must-have for advanced reefkeepers – colorful, fast-growing and absolutely stunning!
If you order until the 04/28/2025 14:00 we ship your package probable today.
Acropora anthocercis Rainbow (Filter)
EUR 119,90*
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If you order until the 04/28/2025 14:00 we ship your package probable today.
Acropora anthocercis Rainbow (Filter)
EUR 129,90*
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If you order until the 04/28/2025 14:00 we ship your package probable today.
Acropora tenuis Multicolor (Filter)
EUR 119,90*
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If you order until the 04/28/2025 14:00 we ship your package probable today.
Acropora Aussie Green (Filter)
EUR 79,90*
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If you order until the 04/28/2025 14:00 we ship your package probable today.
Acropora Aussie Green (Filter)
EUR 69,90*
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If you order until the 04/28/2025 14:00 we ship your package probable today.
Acropora anthocercis Rainbow (Filter)
EUR 129,90*
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If you order until the 04/28/2025 14:00 we ship your package probable today.
Acropora millepora Palm Beach (WCC)(Filter)
EUR 39,90*
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If you order until the 04/28/2025 14:00 we ship your package probable today.
Acropora cytherea Sungod (WCC)(Filter)
EUR 59,90*
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If you order until the 04/28/2025 14:00 we ship your package probable today.
Acropora Bubble Jam (WCC)(Filter)
EUR 49,90*
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If you order until the 04/28/2025 14:00 we ship your package probable today.
Acropora cytherea Sungod (WCC)(Filter)
EUR 59,90*
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If you order until the 04/28/2025 14:00 we ship your package probable today.
Acropora millepora Detonator (WCC)(Filter)
EUR 34,90*
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Acropora millepora Detonator (WCC)(Filter)
EUR 34,90*
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Acropora Relapse (WCC)(Filter)
EUR 49,90*
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If you order until the 04/28/2025 14:00 we ship your package probable today.
Acropora millepora Bloody Mary (WCC)(Filter)
EUR 59,90*
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If you order until the 04/28/2025 14:00 we ship your package probable today.
Acropora Golden Hour (WCC)(Filter)
EUR 44,90*
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Maintenance of SPS corals
Strong light & strong flow - the SPS Eldorado
Usually the stronger the lighting for SPS, stronger the water flow and cleaner the water (low phosphate- and nitrate values) the more one thanks the SPS coral with powerful growth and incredible beauty. With nutrients one should pay attention to a balanced but also nutrient-and sediment-poor mixture. The water temperature should be between 22 and 25 °C. You can either collect the values for water and light at Whitecorals online shop from SPS maintenance recommendations or you contact us directly. With the huge collection of SPS corals having different requirements, the spectrum of maintenance conditions is very high.
Hard corals or soft corals?
Many times one might meet aquarists who are either confined just to hard corals (either only SPS or LPS or SPS with LPS together) or vice versa, only soft corals. However it is very much possible to maintain both soft and hard corals together in a mixed tank. The most important rule thus is to create sufficient space for both hard- and soft corals. Further one should note that soft corals do not grow unhindered over hard coral colonies. So a friendly coexistence of soft- and hard corals is possible. Skimmer and activated carbon help in the degradation of substances which are eliminated by SPS.
Multiplication of SPS corals
Most of the SPS corals multiply easily due to fragmentation asexually. Separated fragments can be attached with cable strap or coral glue to a small piece of live rock and the new frags are set at a suitable location in the reef aquarium.
Acropora SPS corals
One of the most cost-effective class is Acropora (staghorn coral) from the family of Acroporidae liked especially by amateur aquarists. Usually these fosterlings from the Pacific adapt quickly to their new environments, multiply both sexually- and asexually and often have extraordinary colours in all colours of the rainbow. At Whitecorals.com you will find such gems as Acropora millepora Bali Blue Tips (short, closely branched, pink-coloured branch with violet-blue tips), Acropora echinata Yellow (yellow, small tubes pointed upwards) or Acropora gomezi Bali (Nub-like, straight branch in bright blue). One of the most sought-after corals is the so called Acropora strawberry shortcake coral which is always available on our online shop.
Montipora - beginners coral
For beginners who do not want to miss the SPS in their aquarium, are recommended to begin with the robust class Montipora. This class from the Indo-Pacific exists in almost every habit and is more resistant and easy to maintain in comparison to Acropora. At Whitecorals you will find beautiful Montipora species and Montipora frags (frags). Wild Montipora normally has brown colour. More colours like green, purple, beige and pink with red or blue polyps are found in the offsprings. For example Montipora digitata (finger-shaped, robust corals) or Montipora delicatula (saucer-shaped, flat micropores coral)
Pocillopora
Further known and popular species are: Pocillopora (Raspberry coral/Bush coral), eine wart-shaped coral species which is usually brown in colour, however there are also species in blue, pink, green and „Creme“ colour (yellowish white); n
Seriatopora & Stylophora
Seriatopora (Dorn coral/Needle-coral) with very thin branches and needle-like tips which are arranged bush-shaped. The colours thus reach from brown and pink to yellowish white. The common coral of this species is Seriatopora hysterix. Stylophora (style coral) with thick, sometimes flat branches and round, blunt ends and green, blue, pink and creme – colours (e.g. Stylophora Tonga Pink Frag)
Good to know about SPS corals
SPS have high requirements regarding water parameters and develop their full beauty at low nutritional values (low values damage the corals). They would like lots of water flow and lots of light. SPS corals use products of zooxanthellae as feed. They also eat the dissolved organic substances as well as amino acids which can be given directly into the water.
Few tips for successful maintenance of SPS corals
Acropora should not be used as starter – corals in new aquarium since they cannot adapt to the fluctuations in water parameters very well. Montipora becomes dark or brown if lots of nutrients are added to the water; the reason is the strengthened formation of zooxanthellae. Pocillopora are vulnerable to dwarf angel fish and like most of the SPS, are very fragile. Seriatopora often accommodates a Gallkrabbe which lives symbiotically with the corals. Stylophora are easy to maintain than the Acropora and Montipora species. Damsel fishes often live symbiotically with Stylophora.
Buy SPS hard corals online at Whitecorals
We have a colourful collection of build beautiful SPS hard corals at our Whitecorals online shop. Whether private person or dealer, we serve both. The shipment of corals take place within 24 hours; so a fast delivery and a stress-free coral is guaranteed to the customers. Please contact us, we would be glad to help you with further questions regarding corals, marine aquarium and techmology or visit us in-person near Stuttgart area.
