Acropora desalwii: Propagation Guide

How to propagate Acropora desalwii: fragging branch tips and gluing to plugs, demanding light and flow, and the broadcast spawning the genus relies on in the wild.

Overview

Acropora desalwii is a branching small-polyp stony (SPS) coral in the family Acroporidae. Like other Acropora, it can grow as slender or broad branches, and finger-sized fragments can grow into much larger colonies within one to two years under good conditions. It is demanding to keep but propagates readily once a colony is thriving.

Reproductive Mode

Acropora reproduces both sexually and asexually. In the wild the genus reproduces sexually as hermaphroditic broadcast spawners; in aquaculture the practical method is asexual fragmentation, which preserves the parent colony's color and form.

Fragging / Asexual Propagation

Choose a healthy colony with several actively growing branch tips.
Cut or snap off an Acropora tip a few centimetres long using bone cutters or a cutting tool.
Mount the frag onto a plug or rock with cyanoacrylate glue or a peg.
Return it to high light and strong, turbulent flow so it can encrust and regrow an axial tip.

Conditions for Propagation

Acropora requires bright light, stable temperatures, regular addition of calcium and alkalinity supplements, and clean, turbulent water. Strong flow keeps detritus off fresh cuts and supports rapid healing of fragments.

Sexual Reproduction

Acropora species are hermaphroditic broadcast spawners. During mass synchronized spawning events colonies release buoyant gamete bundles of eggs and sperm that float to the surface, break apart and fertilise externally, producing larvae used in reef restoration. This is rare in home aquaria, where fragmentation is the standard method.