Bali Green Stony Coral

About

Bali Green Stony Coral (Acropora yongei) is a branching SPS coral native to the shallow reefs and rocky coastal margins of the Indo-Pacific, typically found at depths between about 5 and 20 meters. In the wild it forms dense, sprawling thickets of short cylindrical or slightly tapered branches, with colonies occasionally stretching beyond two meters across and sometimes carpeting entire reef sections in near-monocultures. The axial corallites are tubular and project outward noticeably, while the radial corallites are uniform in size and share that tubular form, distinguished by a flared lower lip. Natural coloration runs toward cream, pale yellow, and soft brown tones, though aquarium specimens kept under intense lighting sometimes develop greener hues. Which is where the common name comes from. Like most Acropora, this species demands pristine, stable water chemistry and responds poorly to swings in salinity, alkalinity, or nutrient levels. It also requires very high light and vigorous, random flow to keep detritus from settling on its branches. This is firmly a species for experienced reef keepers who are already comfortable managing a mature, well-dialed system. Acropora in general can be rewarding to grow, but A. yongei's pace and eventual footprint mean you need to plan for its spread from the start.