Staghorn Coral Care Guide

Staghorn Coral (Acropora cervicornis) is a SPS coral. Care covers 250-400 PAR, high flow, reef parameters and feeding; advanced level.

Overview

Staghorn Coral (Acropora cervicornis) is a SPS coral in the family Acroporidae. Caribbean reef-builder; cylindrical antler-like branches. CITES II species; critical to Atlantic reef ecology.

Taxonomy

Family: Acroporidae
Genus: Acropora
Scientific name: Acropora cervicornis
Common synonyms: Staghorn, Atlantic Staghorn

Habitat

In the wild, Acropora cervicornis is reported from Caribbean, where it occupies shallow reef flats and upper slopes (typically 1-15 m). The species adopts a branching growth form on hard substrate within zooxanthellate reef communities.

Tank requirements

Salinity (specific gravity): 1.025-1.026
Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
pH: 8.1-8.4
Carbonate hardness (dKH): 7.5-9
Calcium: 420-450 ppm
Magnesium: 1300-1400 ppm
Phosphate (max): 0.03 ppm
Nitrate (max): 5 ppm
Minimum system age: 1 year

Placement and lighting

PAR (placement zone): 250-400 PAR
Water flow: high

Place this SPS coral on the upper rockwork where light is bright and water movement is strong, ideally turbulent rather than laminar. Acclimate gradually to high PAR over 2-3 weeks to avoid bleaching. SPS demand a mature system: stable alkalinity, calcium, and magnesium with phosphate and nitrate kept ultra-low.

Feeding

Acropora cervicornis hosts symbiotic zooxanthellae and derives most of its energy through photosynthesis. Additional feeding is generally not required when lighting is adequate.

Compatibility

This coral is passive toward neighbours. Reef-safe with most fish and invertebrates.

Care notes

Difficulty level: advanced. Reported skeletal growth in well-tuned reef tanks is approximately 0.5-1.5 cm/month. Propagation by fragmentation is straightforward for branching colonies — separate branches or polyps with a bone cutter, glue to plug, allow 1-2 weeks for healing. Maintain stable alkalinity (avoid swings above ±0.5 dKH per day) to preserve tissue health.