Acropora solitaryensis: Propagation Guide

Propagating Acropora solitaryensis: cutting and gluing tips to plugs, the bright light and turbulent flow it needs, and the broadcast spawning of the genus in the wild.

Overview

Acropora solitaryensis is an Acropora in the family Acroporidae. Acropora species may grow as plates or as slender or broad branches, and finger-sized fragments can grow into much larger colonies in one to two years under good husbandry. The genus is demanding to keep but propagates well once established.

Reproductive Mode

Acropora reproduces sexually as a hermaphroditic broadcast spawner and asexually by fragmentation. For aquarists, fragmentation is the reliable route because it clones the parent colony's genetics and appearance.

Fragging / Asexual Propagation

Select a vigorous colony with several growing tips.
Cut or snap an Acropora tip of a few centimetres with bone cutters.
Secure the cutting to a plug or rock with cyanoacrylate glue or a peg.
Place it under bright light and strong turbulent flow to encrust and grow a new axial tip.

Conditions for Propagation

This coral needs bright light, stable temperatures, regular calcium and alkalinity dosing, and clean turbulent water. Turbulent flow keeps detritus from settling on fresh wounds and speeds recovery of frags.

Sexual Reproduction

As hermaphroditic broadcast spawners, Acropora colonies release buoyant egg-and-sperm gamete bundles during mass synchronized spawning. The bundles rise to the surface, break apart and fertilise in the water column, yielding larvae used for reef restoration. Captive spawning is uncommon, so fragmentation remains the standard propagation method.