JF Homewrecker Acropora
The Homewrecker Acropora is a relatively new and highly desirable colour morph of the Acropora tenuis species. They are a true rainbow acropora with yellow/orange polyps, a green/blue base, purple growth tips and pink corallites. It’s colours really are almost impossible to describe. While its beauty is legendary, the Homewrecker Acropora does require a mature tank with stable water conditions in order to thrive. It is a branching acropora and will also encurst around its base. Some hobbyists consider it to be one of the faster growing acroporas but this will depend on lighting, feeding and tank parameters.
In the wild, Acropora Tenuis are found in the Western Pacific and the Rea Sea. They are considered to be a foundational coral an make up a significant percentage of the world’s reefs. While they are abundant in the wild, specific strains, such as the Homewrecker Acropora are either aquaculted or maricultured, as opposed to being wild collected. Not only does this reduce stress on natural reefs it also helps to ensure colour uniformity and provides hobbyists with piece that are accustomed to life in an aquarium. In a home tank they are generally placed on an exposed piece of rockwork in the upper third of the tank where they will receive high levels of both light and flow.
Regardless of the type of acropora they all love high levels of light and flow. A good rule of thumb for determining whether or not a coral is receiving the right amount of light is to look at its colour. A coral that is receiving too little light may turn dull or brown and one that is in too much light may begin to turn white. All acropora do best when exposed to high levels of indirect flow. This encourages polyp extension as well as bringing food to the coral and preventing the build up of detritus.
Homewrecker Acropora are photosynthetic and can meet all of their energy needs by utilizing aquarium lighting. However, some hobbyists find that supplemental feeding can increase the growth rate and encourage polyp extension. A good choice for feeding is Vitalis SPS Coral Food.
Despite their reputation for being somewhat difficult to keep, acropora are incredibly easy to frag. Simply use a pair of coral cutters to cut a piece from a healthy mother colony, glue it to a frag plug and wait for it to heal.
Acropora are considered to be the crown jewel of reef keeping and a Homewrecker Acropora can elevate any reef tank.
