Mille Acropora Care Guide
Mille Acropora (Acropora millepora) is a SPS coral. Care covers 250-400 PAR, high flow, reef parameters and feeding; advanced level.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Mille Acropora (Acropora millepora) is a SPS coral in the family Acroporidae. One of the most popular SPS in reefkeeping. Branching with neat round corallites; many designer morphs.
Taxonomy
- Family: Acroporidae
- Genus: Acropora
- Scientific name: Acropora millepora
- Common synonyms: Mille, Smooth Skin Acro
Habitat
In the wild, Acropora millepora is reported from Indo-Pacific, 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 millepora 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.
Pink Lemonade Acropora Propagation Guide
Overview
"Pink Lemonade" is a reefer-bred color morph of Acropora millepora, a small-polyp stony coral in the family Acroporidae. As described on Wikipedia, A. millepora forms small colonies in clumps of short cylindrical branches, and its radial corallites are uniform in size with projecting lower rims that look scale-like. This morph presents a pink body with yellow polyps and a bright base, a selection within the species' naturally variable coloration.
Reproductive Mode
Acropora reproduce asexually and sexually; in the aquarium Pink Lemonade is multiplied by fragmentation. It is a zooxanthellate species harbouring symbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium) that photosynthesise to feed the coral, so fragments carry over the parent's symbionts and colour. Wikipedia notes captive propagation of Acropora is widespread in the hobby.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Remove a branch tip of roughly 2-5 cm with bone-cutters and bond it to a frag plug using cyanoacrylate gel or epoxy. The axial corallite at the tip directs vertical growth, so keeping the tip intact accelerates healing. According to Wikipedia, finger-sized fragments can grow into medicine-ball-sized colonies in one to two years when kept well.
Conditions for Propagation
Wikipedia states Acropora needs bright light, stable temperatures, regular calcium and alkalinity supplementation, and clean turbulent water. Mount frags under high light and strong flow with stable alkalinity, calcium and magnesium and low nutrients so they encrust the plug and resume branching.
Sexual Reproduction
In the wild Acropora spawn once a year in synchronised broadcast mass-spawning events, releasing buoyant packets of eggs and sperm into the water for external fertilisation. This is not normally reproduced in home tanks, where fragmentation is the practical method.
Common Challenges
Acropora millepora: Propagation Guide
Overview
Acropora millepora is a small colonial coral of the family Acroporidae that grows in clumps of short, cylindrical branches; its radial corallites are all the same size with projecting lower rims, giving a scale-like appearance. It grows in shallow water between two and twelve metres deep on reef flats, upper reef slopes, and in lagoons, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Japan, Indonesia, and Australia, and is zooxanthellate.
Reproductive Mode
Acropora corals reproduce sexually during mass spawning events and asexually through fragmentation, which occurs naturally when branches break. In the aquarium fragmentation is the standard method: finger-sized fragments can grow into medicine-ball-sized colonies in one to two years under good conditions.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
A branch tip is removed with bone cutters or a coral saw, the plug is soaked, both the plug and the cut base are dried, and a bead of cyanoacrylate glue roughly the size of the frag base is applied before pressing the frag in place for about thirty seconds. A few hours later the frag should be back in good flow and light, where the polyps extend and the coral begins to encrust the plug.
Conditions for Propagation
Acropora demands bright light, stable temperature, regular calcium and alkalinity supplementation, and clean, turbulent water. New frags can be started in slightly lower light and flow, then moved up as the tissue seals and the polyps extend normally.
Common Challenges
Listed by the IUCN as Near Threatened in the wild, Acropora millepora is susceptible to bleaching and coral diseases and to RTN/STN, which can be triggered by unstable water quality, stress, or shipping. Keeping an insurance frag of any colony showing necrosis is standard practice.
Rainbow Mille Acropora Propagation Guide
Overview
"Rainbow" is a multicolored color morph of Acropora millepora, a small-polyp stony coral in the family Acroporidae. Wikipedia describes A. millepora as a small colonial coral growing in clumps of short cylindrical branches with uniform, scale-like radial corallites bearing projecting lower rims. The wild colour is naturally variable — green with orange-tipped branches, pale pink, orange, plain green or blue — and the Rainbow morph is a selection combining green, blue, pink and purple tones across the branches.
Reproductive Mode
Acropora reproduce asexually and sexually; in aquaria the Rainbow morph is increased by fragmentation. As a zooxanthellate coral it hosts symbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium) that photosynthesise to feed it, so fragments retain the parent's symbionts and coloration. Wikipedia notes captive propagation of Acropora is widespread among reef keepers.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Cut or snap a branch tip of about 2-5 cm with bone-cutters and fix it to a frag plug with cyanoacrylate gel or epoxy. The axial corallite at the branch tip leads regrowth, so an intact tip encrusts and extends faster. Wikipedia reports finger-sized fragments can become medicine-ball-sized colonies in one to two years under good conditions.
Conditions for Propagation
Wikipedia states Acropora requires bright light, stable temperatures, regular calcium and alkalinity dosing, and clean turbulent water. The Rainbow morph shows its multiple colours most strongly with low nutrients, so place frags under high light and strong flow with stable alkalinity, calcium and magnesium and tightly controlled nutrients.
Sexual Reproduction
In the wild Acropora reproduce by annual synchronised broadcast mass-spawning, releasing buoyant egg-and-sperm packets into the water column for external fertilisation. Home aquaria do not normally reproduce this, relying on fragmentation instead.
Common Challenges
Red Planet Acropora (Acropora millepora): Propagation Guide
Overview
Red Planet is a designer color morph of Acropora millepora, a small colonial coral of the family Acroporidae that grows in clumps of short, cylindrical branches with same-sized radial corallites that give a scale-like look. The species grows in shallow water between two and twelve metres deep across the Indo-Pacific and is zooxanthellate; the Red Planet line is prized for deep red branches with bright green polyps.
Reproductive Mode
Acropora reproduces sexually during mass spawning and asexually through fragmentation, which occurs naturally when branches break. A named designer line such as Red Planet is perpetuated entirely by fragmentation so the color is preserved; finger-sized fragments can grow into large colonies in one to two years under good conditions.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
A branch tip is removed with bone cutters or a coral saw, the plug is soaked and then dried along with the cut base, and a bead of cyanoacrylate glue about the size of the frag base is applied before pressing the frag in place for around thirty seconds. The frag is returned to good flow and light a few hours later, where polyps extend and the coral encrusts the plug.
Conditions for Propagation
Acropora demands bright light, stable temperature, regular calcium and alkalinity dosing, and clean, turbulent water. New frags can start in slightly lower light and flow and be raised once the tissue seals; consistent lighting also helps the Red Planet line hold its red and green coloration.
Common Challenges
Acropora millepora is susceptible to bleaching, coral diseases, and RTN/STN, which can be triggered by unstable water quality, stress, or shipping. Designer Acropora can also lose color under poor conditions, so keeping an insurance frag and stable parameters protects both the colony and its prized coloration.
Walt Disney Acropora Propagation Guide
Overview
"Walt Disney" is a named ultra color morph of Acropora millepora, a small-polyp stony coral in the family Acroporidae. According to Wikipedia, A. millepora is a small colonial coral that grows in clumps with short cylindrical branches, and its radial corallites are all the same size with projecting lower rims that give them a scale-like appearance. The natural colour is variable and may be green with orange-tipped branches, pale pink, orange, plain green or blue; the Walt Disney morph is a multicolored aquacultured selection of this species.
Reproductive Mode
Acropora corals reproduce both asexually and sexually. In aquaria, asexual fragmentation is the practical route: A. millepora harbours symbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium) in its tissues that supply energy through photosynthesis, so fragments retain the parent's algal symbionts and coloration. Wikipedia notes that captive propagation of Acropora is widespread in the reef-keeping community.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Cut or snap a healthy branch tip of roughly 2-5 cm with bone-cutters, then attach it to a frag plug using cyanoacrylate gel or epoxy. The axial corallite at the branch tip drives upward regrowth, so leaving the tip intact speeds recovery. Wikipedia reports that finger-sized fragments can grow into medicine-ball-sized colonies in one to two years in a well-maintained reef aquarium.
Conditions for Propagation
Wikipedia states that Acropora requires bright light, stable temperatures, regular addition of calcium and alkalinity supplements, and clean, turbulent water. Frags should be placed under high light and strong flow with stable alkalinity, calcium and magnesium and low nutrients to encourage encrustation onto the plug and new growth.
Sexual Reproduction
In the wild Acropora reproduce by annual broadcast mass-spawning, releasing buoyant packets of eggs and sperm into the water column on synchronised nights. This event is generally not reproduced in home aquaria, where propagation relies on fragmentation.