TSA Bill Murray Acropora Coral

TSA Bill Murray Acropora Coral

Sale price  $99.99 Regular price $149.99
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TSA Bill Murray Acropora Coral

TSA Bill Murray Acropora Coral

SKU: CTOxBillmurrayReg

Sale price  $99.99 Regular price $149.99
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Grow your TSA Bill Murray with:

Quick Specs

Care Level
Shop live corals by care level: Moderate–Difficult
Flow
Shop live corals by flow: High
Lighting
Shop live corals by lighting: High
Placement
Shop live corals by placement: High
Growth Rate
Shop live corals by growth rate: Fast
Temperament
Peaceful(3–4 inches spacing)
Feeding
Photosynthetic(primary), microplankton, zooplankton, rotifers, copepod nauplii, oyster eggs, powdered coral foods, amino acids
Description
Photo is of mother colony. Frags are typically ¾" – 1" in size.

Aquacultured Acropora Coral

Acropora corals are the centerpiece of many advanced reef aquariums, and few SPS corals match their range of color, texture, and growth form. Our Acropora for sale spans popular species such as millepora Acropora (Acropora millepora, or "millies"), Acropora tenuis, staghorn Acropora (Acropora formosa), Acropora tortuosa (torts), Acropora valida, and Acropora lokani. We farm and propagate Acropora from mother colonies in our Florida aquaculture facility, where frags grow out under captive reef conditions before they ship.

Acro corals reward stable, well-maintained systems with fast branching growth and some of the most vivid coloration in the hobby. They are best suited to reefers who test regularly and can keep parameters consistent.

Acropora Care at a Glance

Parameter Recommended Range
Care level Advanced
Lighting High, 200+ PAR
Water flow Strong and variable
Temperature 75–80°F
Salinity 1.025–1.026
pH 8.1–8.4
Calcium 420–440 ppm
Alkalinity 8–9.5 dKH
Magnesium 1300–1450 ppm
Nitrate <10 ppm
Phosphate <0.10 ppm
Origin Indo-Pacific; aquacultured by Top Shelf Aquatics

Water Chemistry for Acropora

Acropora are highly sensitive to parameter swings, so stability matters as much as the numbers themselves. Calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium drive skeletal growth, and a healthy pH helps the coral absorb the calcium it needs to build new branches. Test often and dose to hold levels steady rather than chasing large corrections.

Lighting Your Acropora

In the wild, Acropora grow near reef crests and upper slopes across Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef, where light is intense. In the aquarium, aim for 200+ PAR from high-output LEDs, T5 fluorescents, or metal halides. We grow our colonies under a combination of EcoTech Marine Radions and metal halides.

Spectrum shapes the result:

  • More white light (10K–14K): faster growth, but less vivid coloration
  • Deeper blue light (18K–20K): stronger coloration, but slower growth

Increase intensity gradually so a new frag can adjust without bleaching.

Water Flow

Strong, randomized flow mimics the high-energy reef crest, delivering nutrients and carrying waste away from the coral's tissue. We use EcoTech Marine MP pumps, Reef Octopus OCTO Pulse, and Sicce XStream wavemakers to keep flow varied across every colony. As a branching colony grows, it changes how water moves through your tank, so audit and adjust flow patterns over time.

What We Feed Our Acropora

Acropora get most of their energy from photosynthesis through their symbiotic zooxanthellae, but supplemental feeding improves growth and color. We feed our exclusive Royal Flush phytoplankton blend (Tisochrysis, Rhodomonas, and Tetraselmis), along with Benepets, Reef Roids, and amino acids. For best results, target-feed with a turkey baster and turn off circulation and return pumps for about 10–15 minutes so the coral can absorb nutrients. Maintaining trace elements such as iron and iodine also supports vibrant pigmentation.

Coloration and Settling In

Acropora color depends on lighting spectrum, nutrition, and water stability. It is normal for a new frag to show little visible growth for the first 3–6 months while it settles into your system, so patience and consistency pay off.

Common Acropora Challenges

  • Rapid tissue necrosis (RTN): usually triggered by stress or unstable parameters; pristine, stable water is the best prevention
  • Bleaching: caused by sudden changes in light or temperature; acclimate gradually and keep temperature consistent
  • Parameter fluctuations: regular testing and dosing keep calcium, alkalinity, and magnesium in balance
  • Growth interference: prune and reposition colonies to limit competition for space and flow

How We Farm Our Acropora Frags

Our team of marine biologists monitors water parameters across more than 30,000 gallons of farmable water volume. We select robust mother colonies, frag them carefully, and mount each frag on a plug with reef-safe glue or epoxy. Frags then grow out in dedicated systems with high-intensity lighting and advanced flow before they ship.

How to Acclimate an Acropora Frag

  1. Temperature: float the bag in your aquarium for 15–20 minutes to equalize temperature.
  2. Drip acclimation: gradually introduce your tank water to the coral.
  3. Lighting: increase light intensity gradually over 2–3 weeks to avoid bleaching.
  4. Placement: mount the frag securely in an area with strong water flow.
FAQs Common questions about TSA Bill Murray Acropora Coral

Why does my Bill Murray Acropora (Acropora tenuis) lose its yellow/pink highlights while the base stays green?

This strain’s pigments respond strongly to spectrum and nutrients. Aim for PAR 250–350 with strong 420–450 nm blue and some 390–405 nm violet. Keep NO3 around 5–15 ppm and PO4 0.03–0.08 ppm; too lean or sudden drops wash out tips and corallite color. Maintain alk 7.5–8.5 dKH; high alk under intense light with low nutrients can cause pale or “burnt” tips.

The colony encrusts well but stalls before branching—how can I kickstart vertical growth?

Give it room to plate out first; tenuis often builds a thick base before pushing axial tips. Use high, indirect flow that sweeps across the rim, not straight at the axial corallites. Slowly ramp PAR over weeks once the base rims the plug/rock. Trimming a few outer nubs can redirect energy to new vertical shoots; avoid large cuts all at once.

I’m seeing base recession in shaded areas—what’s the best fix without moving the whole colony?

Reduce self-shadowing by pruning a couple of inner branches to open light lanes, and rotate the frag or colony 30–60 degrees. Add a side-light source or slightly widen spread if using LEDs. Increase cross-flow to keep the base clean. Check alk stability and nutrients; RTN/STN at the base often follows small alk swings combined with low PO4.

Are there pests or subtle signs this strain shows earlier than other Acropora?

Tenuis often “telegraphs” trouble with reduced daytime polyp extension and faint bite tracks before flatworms are evident. Blast the colony with a baster to check for AEFW plumes and inspect for eggs on the underside rim. Red bugs cause tip dulling and poor polyp extension. Implement a regular dip/inspection schedule and consider quarantining new acros.
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