TSA Carolina Reaper Acropora Coral

Q: How do I keep the “Carolina Reaper” red/orange tones from fading in Acropora tenuis?

Maintain stable alkalinity (7.5–8.5 dKH), slightly measurable nutrients (NO3 5–15 ppm, PO4 0.03–0.08 ppm), and strong blue/violet with a modest red channel (620–660 nm) to support warm pigments. PAR 250–350 is typical. Avoid ultra-low nutrients with high alk, which bleaches tips and washes out reds. Periodic small K and Fe checks help; don’t dose blindly. Ramp lighting after moves.

Q: Why do inner branches brown while tips stay colorful on this tenuis?

Dense, bushy growth shades the interior. Increase cross-flow and create chaotic turbulence to push light deeper and keep detritus off the base. Strategic pruning of a few inner branches opens the colony without stalling growth. Ensure phosphates aren’t bottoming out—starved bases brown quickly. Rotate the frag/colony a quarter turn every few weeks to balance light exposure.

Q: My Carolina Reaper tenuis pastels out even though PE is great—what’s the likely cause?

Often high alk paired with near-zero nutrients and too much light. Lower PAR by 15–20%, raise nutrients into the low-but-present range, and let alk drift to 7.5–8.5 dKH. Add small, frequent feedings (amino acids or broadcast microfoods) at night when PE is best. Expect color depth to return over 2–4 weeks if stability is maintained.

Q: Are there pest cues unique to this coral that I should watch for?

Acropora-eating flatworms favor smooth to moderately textured Acros like tenuis. Look for crescent bite marks on shaded undersides and pale, sand-grain eggs on dead patches. Red bugs cause reduced PE and muted colors rather than rapid tissue loss. Night inspections with a white flashlight reveal more. Quarantine with dips (e.g., Bayer/IME) and consider in-tank wrasse guardians for ongoing pressure.

TSA Carolina Reaper Acropora Coral

Acropora Large Frag

SKU: AWXCAROLINAREAPREG

$169.99 $199.99

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Grow your TSA Carolina Reaper with:

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(2–3 inches spacing)
Feeding: Photosynthetic(primary), microplankton, phytoplankton, rotifers, copepod nauplii, marine snow, coral-specific powdered foods, amino acid supplements

You will receive a frag similar in shape and size to the photo. 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

Temperature: float the bag in your aquarium for 15–20 minutes to equalize temperature.
Drip acclimation: gradually introduce your tank water to the coral.
Lighting: increase light intensity gradually over 2–3 weeks to avoid bleaching.
Placement: mount the frag securely in an area with strong water flow.

How do I keep the “Carolina Reaper” red/orange tones from fading in Acropora tenuis?

Maintain stable alkalinity (7.5–8.5 dKH), slightly measurable nutrients (NO3 5–15 ppm, PO4 0.03–0.08 ppm), and strong blue/violet with a modest red channel (620–660 nm) to support warm pigments. PAR 250–350 is typical. Avoid ultra-low nutrients with high alk, which bleaches tips and washes out reds. Periodic small K and Fe checks help; don’t dose blindly. Ramp lighting after moves.

Why do inner branches brown while tips stay colorful on this tenuis?

Dense, bushy growth shades the interior. Increase cross-flow and create chaotic turbulence to push light deeper and keep detritus off the base. Strategic pruning of a few inner branches opens the colony without stalling growth. Ensure phosphates aren’t bottoming out—starved bases brown quickly. Rotate the frag/colony a quarter turn every few weeks to balance light exposure.

My Carolina Reaper tenuis pastels out even though PE is great—what’s the likely cause?

Often high alk paired with near-zero nutrients and too much light. Lower PAR by 15–20%, raise nutrients into the low-but-present range, and let alk drift to 7.5–8.5 dKH. Add small, frequent feedings (amino acids or broadcast microfoods) at night when PE is best. Expect color depth to return over 2–4 weeks if stability is maintained.

Are there pest cues unique to this coral that I should watch for?

Acropora-eating flatworms favor smooth to moderately textured Acros like tenuis. Look for crescent bite marks on shaded undersides and pale, sand-grain eggs on dead patches. Red bugs cause reduced PE and muted colors rather than rapid tissue loss. Night inspections with a white flashlight reveal more. Quarantine with dips (e.g., Bayer/IME) and consider in-tank wrasse guardians for ongoing pressure.