Staghorn Coral

About

Found on fringing reefs and shallow lagoons across the Indo-Pacific, Acropora vaughani is a branching stony coral that forms open, loosely structured colonies which grow denser and more bushy as depth decreases. The main branches carry compact secondary branchlets that give mature colonies a fuller silhouette than many of their Acropora relatives. One of its more useful identification features underwater is the fine, smooth texture of the coenosteum, the skeletal tissue between corallites, which gives the branches a cleaner, less rough appearance than many similar species. Radial corallites are widely spaced and vary noticeably in length, adding to the irregular, organic look of the colony. Coloration tends toward uniform pale blue, cream, or light brown, and photographers should note that blue specimens often render as pink in images. This coral is naturally associated with turbid conditions around fringing reefs, which is somewhat unusual for the genus. In the aquarium, Acropora vaughani demands the same commitment any demanding Acropora does. Very high light output, vigorous and consistent flow, and stable water chemistry. It is firmly a species for experienced reef keepers who already have a track record with challenging SPS corals.