Acropora cf nasuta - Aquacultured Acropora varieties now available from Biota Palau!
This bushy variety with a growth form similar to the classic "shortcake" is a deep purple with mint green polyps.
We are stoked to be a part of this sustainable move to create Jobs with renewable resources in Biota's marine life nursery in Palau. Coral farming can be done with virtually ZERO impact to the wild populations and we have been working with local fisheries department to ensure accountable and responsible ocean farming.
The majority of these frags/mini-colonies come from broken Acropora pieces we find while diving after big waves or storms. The pieces roll around and become sand if they're not rescued. These rescued pieces become our broodstock; we replant them on the reef and allow them to grow into full colonies. After about 6 months, we then cut the tips off the broodstock colonies and grow them for a few months on cement bases or plugs, which takes an additional 3 months. This process means that all of the biological material from these Acropora corals we offer are 100% grown by Biota. These fragments are grown under EcoTech Radion and Philips Coral Care lights.
Acropora are considered to be by some the pinnacle of reefkeeping. They're generally considered to be difficult to keep, but very rewarding. They need moderate to high lighting and moderate to high water flow. It's necessary to maintain stable alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, and trace elements such as potassium.