Acanthastrea bowerbanki (Homophyllia bowerbanki) Propagation Guide
Now Homophyllia bowerbanki after a 2016 revision, this very fleshy colonial acan is fragged on a band saw between balloon-like corallites, each polyp group healing on a plug.
Overview
Acanthastrea bowerbanki is a fleshy large-polyp stony coral in the family Lobophylliidae, prized in the hobby for its balloon-like polyps. A 2016 taxonomic revision reclassified the corals formerly called Acanthastrea bowerbanki and Acanthastrea hillae into the genus Homophyllia and merged them as the single species Homophyllia bowerbanki, since the corallite size and colour or tissue differences that separated them were considered insufficient to define distinct species.
Reproductive Mode
The coral is colonial regardless of name, growing by adding corallites that each contain a fleshy polyp. This modular colony structure underlies asexual propagation, since the colony can be divided into pieces that each retain complete polyps.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
As with other acans, the colony is cut with a band saw around the polyps, with a typical frag of roughly two to four polyps. The base is trimmed flat and the frag is glued to a plug, where it heals and encrusts; the cut is left thick enough that the saw does not reach the living polyp tissue. Its very fleshy polyps demand care to avoid tearing during handling.
Conditions for Propagation
Cut frags settle best under stable parameters, low to moderate flow and moderate light in an established system. Feeding speeds tissue regrowth over the wound and onto the plug, and clean water minimizes infection at the cut.
Common Challenges
The fleshy tissue tears easily, so rough handling, cutting into the polyp, or poor post-cut water quality can cause recession or infection. Gentle handling and low flow until the wound seals protect the frags.