Trouble with Acropora spathulata

[Mike Paletta]

Is anyone else having trouble keeping the Aussie Acropora spathulata corals alive long term. They seem to do fine in my tank for 2-4 months, good color, polyps extended and then they suddenly start bleaching from the bottom of the colony or one of the side branches and are gone in a few days. Even if I frag one of branches away from the bleaching area these bleach as well. Tank parameters, Temp 79-81, pH 8.1-8.2, Alk 10, Calcium 360, Magnesium 1450, Nitrate 0, PO4 .02, Lighting 8 hours of 400 watt radiums over a 300 gallon sps tank and 3 Reefbrite LEDs on 12 hours per day. Strong water movement and water changes 20% every month. All other sps are doing fine, growing, and encrusting, some colonies over 7 years old in the tank with them. Would appreciate hearing ideas of what I might be missing and if anyone is keeping them long term?

 

[cymaster007]

Ive only seen it do well in captivity under 400W+ Halides-
Everytime I have seen them in other tanks they were brown and either never colored up or STN'ed after a few months.

 

[Coral Revolution]

Some species are just difficult to keep in captivity, especially if they are wild rather than maricultured. I might also add that your calcium level is a bit low and your alk level is a bit high for a system that seems to be low nutrient. Typically a low nutrient tank should be 8 alk and 420 cal. You might also check if you have any pests. Good luck, and let us know if you have any success.