Pocillopora
Pocillopora damicornis
What you need to keep a Pocillopora
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pH
8.1–8.4
Temperature
24–27 °C
Colony size
15 cm
Min tank
200 L
Where to buy
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
A bushy SPS that grows quickly and often seeds new colonies around the tank. A reasonable first SPS given strong light, good flow and stable alkalinity.
Care guide
Keeping Pocillopora healthy in a South African setup.
Placement & light
Place it low in the tank at first and move it up over a few weeks if it stays closed or browns. Match flow to the coral: most fleshy corals want gentle, indirect flow.
Water parameters
Keep pH 8.1–8.4 and 24–27°C, with salinity around 1.025–1.026. Alkalinity, calcium and magnesium matter more than any single reading: keep them stable and test weekly.
Feeding
Photosynthetic. Most of its energy comes from light, so feeding supplements good lighting rather than replacing it.
Stinging & spacing
Peaceful SPS; self-propagating. Many corals and anemones sting what they touch, some with sweeper tentacles that reach well beyond the colony at night. Leave clear space around Pocillopora as it grows.
Reef compatibility
Large angelfish and butterflyfish nip at corals and anemones; most reef fish, shrimp and snails leave it alone.
Propagation
Pocillopora can be fragged: cut or break a piece with a clean tool, glue it to a plug, and keep it in moderate light and flow while it heals.
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