SPS corals – 35+ species (Acropora, Montipora, and others)

SPS corals are the most diverse and difficult to keep in a reef aquarium. They should only be kept in well-established aquariums by experienced hobbyists. This article comprises many species of SPS corals with quick care stats (including PAR) that you can choose for your reef tanks.

• Acropora sp - Staghorn corals
• Montipora sp
• Pocillopora damicornis
• Seriatopora sp - Birdsnest coral
• Stylophora sp
• How to propagate SPS corals?

Acropora sp – Staghorn corals

Image (click to enlarge)	Scientific name	Common name	Care level	Lighting	PAR	Water Flow	Feeding	Placement	Aggressiveness
	Acropora abrolhosensis	Staghorn	Moderate to difficult for SPS experienced hobbyists	Moderately strong lighting	400-450	Strong alternating flow	filter feeder foods, 2-3 times a week	on rockwork, middle to upper level	Low. Has short polyp reach but will need some room for growth
	Acropora abrotanoides	Staghorn	Moderate to difficult for SPS experienced hobbyists	Moderately strong lighting	400-500	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	middle to upper level	low
	Acropora aculeus	Staghorn	Moderate to difficult for SPS experienced hobbyists	Moderately strong lighting	400-500	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	middle to upper level	low
	Acropora aspera	Staghorn	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Strong lighting	500-600	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	mid to high	low
	Acropora austera	Staghorn	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Strong lighting	400-500	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	mid to high	low
	Acropora awi	Staghorn	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Fairly strong lighting	400-500	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	middle to upper level	low
	Acropora carduus	Staghorn	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Moderately strong lighting	350-400	Strong alternating flow	1-2 times weekly	mid to upper level	low
	Acropora derawanensis	Staghorn	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Moderately strong lighting	400-500	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	middle to upper level	low
	Acropora echinata	Ice-Fire Echinata	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Fairly strong lighting	350	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	low to mid level depending on the lighting	moderate
	Acropora gemmifera	Staghorn	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Fairly strong lighting	400-450	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times weekly	middle to upper level	low
	Acropora horrida	Staghorn	Easy for SPS experienced hobbyists	Moderately strong lighting	400-450	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times weekly	middle to upper level	low
	Acropora kimbeensis	Staghorn	Easy for SPS experienced hobbyists	Fairly strong lighting	400-500	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	middle to upper level	moderate
	Acropora lokani	Staghorn	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Fairly strong lighting	400	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	low to mid level	low
	Acropora microclados	Strawberry Shortcake	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Fairly strong lighting	400-500	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	middle to upper level	low
	Acropora millepora	Staghorn	Easy for SPS experienced hobbyists	Moderately strong lighting	400-450	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times weekly	mid to upper level	low
	Acropora multiacuta	Staghorn	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Fairly strong lighting	400	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	low to mid level	low
	Acropora Nana	Staghorn	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Fairly strong lighting	400-450	Strong alternating flow	1-2 times weekly	middle to upper level	low
	Acropora ocellata	Staghorn	Appears to be easy for SPS experienced hobbyists	Strong lighting	400-500	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	mid to upper level	low
	Acropora parilis	Staghorn	Easy to moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Moderately strong lighting	400-450	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times weekly	middle to upper level in the tank depending on lighting	low
	Acropora prostrata	Staghorn	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Fairly strong lighting	400-500	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	middle to upper level	low
	Acropora rosaria	Staghorn	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Moderately strong lighting	400-500	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	middle to upper level	low
	Acropora samoensis	Staghorn	Intermediate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Strong lighting	500-600	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	middle to upper level	moderate
	Acropora spathulata	Staghorn	Moderate to Difficult	Moderately strong lighting	400-450	Strong alternating flow	System fed 2-3 times weekly	middle to upper level	low
	Acropora subglabra	Staghorn	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Moderately strong lighting	300-400	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	middle to upper level	low
	Acropora tenuis	Staghorn	Easy for SPS experienced hobbyists	Fairly strong lighting	400-450	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times weekly	middle to upper level	low
	Acropora tortuosa	Cali Tort	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Fairly strong lighting	500	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times a week	middle to upper level	low
	Acropora Valida	Staghorn	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Fairly strong lighting	400-450	Strong alternating flow	1-2 times weekly	middle to upper level	low
	Acropora vermiculata	Staghorn	Moderate for SPS experienced hobbyists	Moderately strong lighting	400-450	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times weekly	middle to upper level	low
	Acropora yongei	Green Slimer	Easy for SPS experienced hobbyists	Fairly strong lighting	400-450	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times weekly	middle to upper level	low

Staghorn or Acropora corals are among the most important and abundant groups of reef builders (SPS corals). There are over 300 species of Acropora corals found throughout the world, many of them in the Indo-Pacific and three species in Hawaii.

They are found in a wide variety of habitats from the surface to depths of 100 feet. Many small reef fish live near Acropora colonies and retreat into the thicket of branches if threatened.

Depending on the species and location, Acropora may grow as plates, slender or bushy with branches. Dramatic changes in colony form are also seen within a single species.

Some Acropora corals may form rounded colonies in shallow water, but flattened plates in deeper water where greater surface area is needed to capture the diminished light. The most common growth form imported for the aquarium trade is bushy in appearance with short, compact branches.

With many species are currently known, grow forms, and colors, identifying individual species can be a tricky task.

Acropora corals grow quickly and individual colonies can exceed 3.5 feet across in the wild. In a well-maintained reef aquarium, finger-sized fragments can easily grow into basketball-sized colonies in 1 to 2 years.

Acropora corals are some of the more difficult corals to maintain in the reef tank, but most will do well if certain conditions are provided. Most require strong lighting which can be achieved with high-powered LED reef lights and placing them near the water surface where the PAR can peak up to 400-500. Along with lighting, Acropora corals prefer strong, intermittent water flow.

The water quality should be carefully monitored for Calcium and alkalinity, in addition to the normal parameters of a reef aquarium. In addition, nitrates and phosphates should be kept low to optimize the coloration of the coral.

Acropora corals generally do best in tanks that house primarily SPS and LPS corals. They do not do well with toxins that can be released by many soft corals, therefore the number of soft corals kept in Acropora tanks should be kept fairly low.

Acropora corals can subsist on adequate lighting, water motion, and good water chemistry alone if they are housed in a tank with a fair number of well-fed fish, but they can also benefit from occasional feedings of small zooplankton foods.

Reef-Roids coral food for faster growing #ad

We recommend 2-3 weekly feedings consisting of a mix of oyster eggs and powdered reef foods such as Reef-Roids #ad and Benereef #ad as well as foods such as Seachem Zooplankton #ad and phytoplankton #ad.

Montipora sp

Image (click to enlarge)	Scientific name	Common name	Care level	Lighting	PAR	Water Flow	Feeding	Placement	Aggressiveness
	Montipora digitata		Easy for SPS experienced hobbyists	Moderately strong lighting	250-300	Moderately strong alternating flow	filter feeder foods, 2-3 times weekly	On rock work mid to upper level in the tank	Low. Has short polyp reach
	Montipora foliosa		Easy for SPS experienced hobbyists	Fairly strong lighting	400	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times weekly	On the rock work. Grows in a plating or whorl fashion and can grow fairly large.	Moderate. Has short polyp reach, but will need some room for growth
	Montipora samarensis		Easy for SPS experienced hobbyists	Strong lighting	500-600	Strong alternating flow	2-3 times weekly	On rockwork mid to upper level in the tank	Low
	Montipora stellata		Easy for SPS experienced hobbyists	Moderate bright lighting	200-250	Moderate alternating flow	small filter feeder foods 1-2 times weekly	On rockwork low to middle level, depending on the lighting	Low. Has short polyp reach
	Montipora undata		Easy for SPS experienced hobbyists	Moderately strong lighting	300-350	Strong alternating flow	filter feeder foods 2-3 times weekly	On rockwork	Moderate

Montipora corals are similar to Acropora in their care requirements, but are generally more tolerant of or may require less light intensity and lower water flow than their Acropora counterparts.

Most require moderately strong to strong lighting which can be achieved with LED lighting. Water flow must be moderate to fairly strong depending on the species.

As with all stony corals; calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium levels should be monitored and maintained at proper levels for the long-term health of this specimen. In addition, nitrates and phosphates should be kept low to optimize the coloration of the coral.

Montipora corals generally do best in tanks that house primarily SPS and LPS corals. They do not do well with toxins that can be released by many soft corals, therefore the number of soft corals kept in SPS tanks should be kept fairly low.

Montipora corals can subsist on adequate lighting, water motion, and good water chemistry alone if they are housed in a tank with a fair number of well-fed fish, but they can also benefit from occasional feedings of small zooplankton foods.

We do twice-weekly feedings consisting of a mix of oyster eggs, Reef-Roids, Reef Chili, frozen Cyclopeeze and live newly hatched brine shrimp.

Pocillopora damicornis

• Scientific name: Pocillopora damicornis
• Common name:
• Care level: Easy for SPS experienced hobbyists
• Lighting: Moderately strong lighting
• PAR: 250-300
• Water Flow: Moderately strong alternating flow
• Feeding: filter feeder foods fed 2-3 times weekly
• Placement: On rockwork, middle to upper level in the tank
• Aggressiveness: Low. Has short polyp reach, but will need some room for growth

Pocillopora corals are one of the easiest to maintain SPS corals and can grow rapidly in an established reef aquarium. They require medium to strong lighting which can be achieved with most LED lighting systems.

Growth can be quite rapid under good conditions. Pocillopora damicornis is one of the few SPS corals that will occasionally spawn in the home reef tank and spontaneously form new colonies.

Seriatopora sp – Birdsnest coral

• Scientific name: Seriatopora sp
• Common name: Birdsnest coral
• Care level: Easy for SPS experienced hobbyists
• Lighting: Moderately strong lighting
• PAR: 300-400
• Water Flow: Strong alternating flow
• Feeding: filter feeder foods 1-2 times weekly
• Placement: On rockwork mid to upper level in the tank
• Aggressiveness: Low. Has short polyp reach, but will need some room for growth

Seriatopora (Birdsnest) corals are some of the easiest SPS to keep. Birdsnest corals have similar requirements as Acropora corals but they tend to do OK with less intense lighting and water flow than Acropora.

Pink Birdsnest prefers brighter lighting than the green varieties and colors will intensify under strong lighting. Brighter lighting tends to give brighter and lighter colors.

Stylophora sp

• Scientific name: Stylophora sp
• Common name: Stylo
• Care level: Easy for SPS experienced hobbyists
• Lighting: Strong lighting
• PAR: 400
• Water Flow: Strong alternating flow
• Feeding: filter feeder foods 2-3 times weekly
• Placement: On rockwork mid to high in the tank
• Aggressiveness: Low. Has short polyp reach, but will need some room for growth

Stylophora corals are one of the easier SPS corals to keep and a good choice for hobbyists looking to try SPS corals.

They will normally adapt to moderate to strong lighting and moderate to strong water flow.

Coloration will tend to change based upon the intensity and spectrum of the lighting that is provided. Stronger lighting generally gives lighter but brighter colors.

How to propagate SPS corals?

SPS corals reproduce sexually or asexually. Sexual reproduction occurs via the release of eggs and sperm into the water. Asexual reproduction occurs via fragmentation, when a branch breaks off a colony, reattaches to the substrate, and grows.

For SPS such as Acropora, it is as simple as breaking off a branch and attaching it to a piece of rock or frag plugs. For plating SPS such as Montipora, you should carefully handle to break off one of the plates by moving it up and down many times in order not to destroy the rockwork.

One of the best way to attach frags is to use Super Glue Gel #ad or any cyanoacrylate based gel glue (make sure you buy a gel-type glue).

Coral Frag Rack with magnet holds #ad

Coral Frag Plugs 30 Pack Tiles for SPS LPS #ad

Place the frag on a frag rack or directly in a well-lit place on the rockwork where it receives the same lighting and water flow as the mother colony.