Tell me about millepora

[Lavey29]

My LFS says that within the SPS species of corals acropora are considered moderate to difficult level, millepora is considered difficult to very difficult and tennius is considered the hardest SPS to keep.

I just got my first millepora to try after about 8 months of success with my other acros so far. So what makes milles more difficult? What are some good points for a novice to consider? I'm pretty acquainted with the obvious concerns to focus on for SPS care but is there anything over and above for millies that I should be aware of?

 

[Tonycass12]

I dont think they are difficult just hit them with a ton of flow and light

 

[VegasReefer]

I'm not an SPS expert, but in my experience it has more to do with how long its been in captivity. Especially if we are talking wild/mariculture vs many generations of aquaculture tank raised frags. I have a purple milli that thinks its as hardy as pocillopora

 

[billyocean]

Good random flow, don't hit them with a constant direct blast/stream. Keep phosphate and nitrate from bottoming out. Plenty of light. No major swings in parameters is good too.

 

[Lavey29]

I'm not an SPS expert, but in my experience it has more to do with how long its been in captivity. Especially if we are talking wild/mariculture vs many generations of aquaculture tank raised frags. I have a purple milli that thinks its as hardy as pocillopora

Good point and that is applicable to all corals really.

 

[billyocean]

Millis have a lot of polyp extension "PE" when happy.

 

[Lavey29]

Millis have a lot of polyp extension "PE" when happy.

Yes they do

 

[GarrettT]

I personally wouldn’t consider it difficult, but that’s just me. Compared to a montipora, sure.

 

[Lavey29]

I personally wouldn’t consider it difficult, but that’s just me. Compared to a montipora, sure.

So it's been the same level as other SPS like monti digi or stylos?

 

[GarrettT]

So it's been the same level as other SPS like monti digi or stylos?

I meant compared to montiporas, it might be considered difficult. Now, for me, my palmers blue millepora has been rock solid. It’s a very very hardy coral imo. I can’t say milleporas as a whole are, but no matter how much I abuse this thing, it just will not die. I’ve lost many corals, but my palmers blue just keeps chugging along.

 

[billyocean]

Also, no matter how great everything is in the tank...sometimes they just die to no fault of your own.

 

[Epic Aquaculture]

My LFS says that within the SPS species of corals acropora are considered moderate to difficult level, millepora is considered difficult to very difficult and tennius is considered the hardest SPS to keep.

I just got my first millepora to try after about 8 months of success with my other acros so far. So what makes milles more difficult? What are some good points for a novice to consider? I'm pretty acquainted with the obvious concerns to focus on for SPS care but is there anything over and above for millies that I should be aware of?

Your LFS needs more education if that's how they explained it. Millepora and Tenuis are species of Acropora which is the Genus. Neither of those particular species is necessarily more demanding than other species of Acropora. I find both of them to be fairly hearty and fast growers.

 

[Lavey29]

I meant compared to montiporas, it might be considered difficult. Now, for me, my palmers blue millepora has been rock solid. It’s a very very hardy coral imo. I can’t say milleporas as a whole are, but no matter how much I abuse this thing, it just will not die. I’ve lost many corals, but my palmers blue just keeps chugging along.

I got a blue Mille ill have to see what the name is but it's been at the LFS quite awhile with nice encrusted base. The only other Mille I ordered online did not survive shipping.

 

[Tonycass12]

I'm not an SPS expert, but in my experience it has more to do with how long its been in captivity. Especially if we are talking wild/mariculture vs many generations of aquaculture tank raised frags. I have a purple milli that thinks its as hardy as pocillopora

Disagree, I have 2 maricultured colonies and they are two of the least fussy corals I have.

 

[homer1475]

Your LFS needs more education if that's how they explained it. Millepora and Tenuis are species of Acropora which is the Genus. Neither of those particular species is necessarily more demanding than other species of Acropora. I find both of them to be fairly hearty and fast growers.

I would agree with this 100%

The couple milli's I have are no more fussy then any of the acro's I have. If anything I find the milli's to be less fussy, and faster growers.

 

[Troylee]

In my experience a mili is a easier acro to grow out lol.. I’ve never had really any issues with them till I got aefw and they went to town on them.. it seems to be their favorite to eat! Ugh! Lol.. this was years ago thou! I just got a tank after 12 years and only got 1 for right now a frag but it’s doing great as expected! It’s a asd rainbow that I got and was brown but already starting to color up nicely… just need it to take off and I’ll be happy!