How do I keep the signature yellow-green coloration on a Pacman Dragon Acropora?

Provide strong, turbulent flow and PAR around 250–350 with a balanced spectrum (blue-heavy but not exclusively). Maintain moderate nutrients (NO3 5–15 ppm, PO4 0.03–0.08 ppm); too lean turns it pastel, too rich browns it. Keep potassium 390–420 ppm and stable alkalinity 8–8.6 dKH. Small iron/iodine dosing can help, but go slow and test. Avoid rapid light changes; acclimate frags to higher PAR over 2–3 weeks.

Why does my colony change shape from bushy to plate-like, and how can I guide growth?

Flow direction and intensity drive morphology. Strong, cross-current flow yields bushier, compact branches; laminar, single-direction flow can push a table-like form. Mount frags at a slight angle so new branches get light without self-shading. Periodically trim inner branches to prevent dead zones. Rotate the colony monthly to even out flow exposure and branch thickness.

What early signs warn of AEFW or red bugs on this coral, and how should I respond?

Watch for daytime polyp retraction, pale bite marks on branch tips, sand-like eggs on undersides (AEFW), or tiny orange specks and reduced polyp extension (red bugs). Inspect under white light and a magnifier. Response: baster-blast, then sequential dips (e.g., Bayer/imidacloprid for AEFW; Interceptor for red bugs in-tank). Frag healthy margins if tissue loss accelerates; an iodine bath aids recovery.

Why do my tips burn while bases look fine even though parameters test “good”?

Tip burn often follows alkalinity spikes under high PAR. This species pushes fast axial growth; sudden alk to >9 dKH can outpace calcification at the tips. Keep alk stable (±0.1–0.2 dKH/day), avoid rapid nutrient drops after heavy skimming or GFO changes, and raise light gradually. Check micro-hotspots from clean lenses or new reflectors; slight dimming or increased diffusion can stop the burn.

Pacman Dragon Acropora Coral

Acropora

Overview

Pacman Dragon Acropora Coral shows yellow‑green branches with contrasting blue polyps and pointed axial tips. Acropora sp. is a small‑polyp stony branching coral that prefers high light and strong, turbulent water flow. It is photosynthetic via symbiotic algae but accepts occasional small‑particle foods to support growth and coloration. Place high on stable rockwork with space to grow, and keep distance from aggressive corals to prevent stings.

Quick Facts

Care Difficult

Lighting High

Flow High

Placement High

Temperament Peaceful (moderate spacing recommended)

Recommended Parameters

Temp 76–80°F

pH 8.1–8.4

Salinity 1.025–1.026

Calcium 420–450 ppm

AlkAlkalinity 8–9 dKH

Magnesium 1250–1350 ppm

Feeding photosynthetic (primary), microplankton, rotifers, copepod nauplii, baby brine shrimp (nauplii), oyster eggs, coral-specific powdered foods (e.g., Reef-Roids), marine snow, amino acid supplements

Care & Placement

Pacman Dragon Acropora Coral (Acropora sp.) thrives in clean, stable, high-energy reef systems. Provide strong, random flow to keep polyps active and prevent detritus from settling on branches; aim for alternating gyres or pulsing pumps with no dead spots. Lighting should be high: 250–400 PAR under quality LED, T5, or metal halide; ramp intensity slowly to avoid bleaching and use a PAR meter if possible. Target moderate nutrients with strong export: nitrate 2–10 ppm, phosphate 0.03–0.08 ppm. Maintain temp 24–26°C (75–79°F), salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, alkalinity 7.5–9 dKH (keep swings under 0.3 dKH/day), calcium 420–460 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm. Feed 1–3x weekly with fine particulate foods, reef roids, and amino acids; keep skimmer and filtration tuned to avoid spikes.Place high in the aquascape on stable rock with room for upward and outward growth; allow 3–4 inches from neighbors to avoid shading and stings. Avoid proximity to aggressive LPS with long sweepers; most Acropora are peaceful but can overgrow slower corals under strong light. Acclimate by dipping for pests (AEFW, red bugs), then light acclimate over 1–2 weeks. Use epoxy or superglue gel to secure frags; strong flow can dislodge them. Watch for early signs of stress: paling/bleaching (too much light or low nutrients), tissue recession (alk swings, pests), and burnt tips (excess alk with low nutrients). Test weekly, use an auto top-off, and consider ICP testing if growth stalls. Stability beats rapid changes.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Pacman Dragon Acropora Coral

How do I keep the signature yellow-green coloration on a Pacman Dragon Acropora?

Provide strong, turbulent flow and PAR around 250–350 with a balanced spectrum (blue-heavy but not exclusively). Maintain moderate nutrients (NO3 5–15 ppm, PO4 0.03–0.08 ppm); too lean turns it pastel, too rich browns it. Keep potassium 390–420 ppm and stable alkalinity 8–8.6 dKH. Small iron/iodine dosing can help, but go slow and test. Avoid rapid light changes; acclimate frags to higher PAR over 2–3 weeks.
Why does my colony change shape from bushy to plate-like, and how can I guide growth?

Flow direction and intensity drive morphology. Strong, cross-current flow yields bushier, compact branches; laminar, single-direction flow can push a table-like form. Mount frags at a slight angle so new branches get light without self-shading. Periodically trim inner branches to prevent dead zones. Rotate the colony monthly to even out flow exposure and branch thickness.
What early signs warn of AEFW or red bugs on this coral, and how should I respond?

Watch for daytime polyp retraction, pale bite marks on branch tips, sand-like eggs on undersides (AEFW), or tiny orange specks and reduced polyp extension (red bugs). Inspect under white light and a magnifier. Response: baster-blast, then sequential dips (e.g., Bayer/imidacloprid for AEFW; Interceptor for red bugs in-tank). Frag healthy margins if tissue loss accelerates; an iodine bath aids recovery.
Why do my tips burn while bases look fine even though parameters test “good”?

Tip burn often follows alkalinity spikes under high PAR. This species pushes fast axial growth; sudden alk to >9 dKH can outpace calcification at the tips. Keep alk stable (±0.1–0.2 dKH/day), avoid rapid nutrient drops after heavy skimming or GFO changes, and raise light gradually. Check micro-hotspots from clean lenses or new reflectors; slight dimming or increased diffusion can stop the burn.