COTM August 2011: Neon Green Acropora Tortuosa.

Discussion in 'Coral of the Month' started by Corailline, Jul 30, 2011.

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  1. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    [​IMG]
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    Distribution: Indo-Pacific. Commonly aquacultured.
    Coloration: A dark green to iridescent, with brown in areas not receiving intense lighting.
    Care Level: Moderate once established, difficult while acclimating.
    Lighting: Intense (MH or T5HO), the higher the quality of lighting the better the coloration. Will brown out quickly under moderate lighting.
    Placement: High in direct lighting. High indirect flow, will not fully expand polyps in areas of lower flow.


    Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026.
    Calcium: 350-450.
    Alk: 8-11 dkh.
    Magnesium: 1350-1450.
    Temperature: 78-82. A somewhat sensitive coral to temperature swings. May show decreased polyp extension at temps below 76 and above 82.
    Nutrition: Will display mesenterial filaments in response to introduction of food, flow must be adequate. Feeding response witnessed after introduction of a slurry containing proteins ie: clams, fish and invert eggs, zooplankton. Does not require direct target feeding, slow addition of the slurry to the water column, works well.
    Receives the greatest part of it's nutrition from symbiotic zooxanthellae.

    Mesenterial filaments.
    [​IMG]


    There are several different types of Acropora Tortuosa, most have a smooth skin appearence, with distinct corallites structures almost resembling a bottle brush. Polyps may be different colors depending on the type of Tortuosa, the Neon Green's are pale green in color.

    Moderate growth, with more vertical growth than encrusting growth.

    Will require supplementation of Calcium, Magnesium and a buffer. Routine water changes with good quality salt to replenish trace elements such as Strontium and others.

    Of all my acropora, this one is the least aggressive and usually loses the battle when placed next to a more aggressive coral.

    Thank you for viewing.:)
     
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  3. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

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    Awesome I have one of those! Green Monster is the common name given to me when I purchased it but you know how that goes. :) Thanks for posting putting this up.
     
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  4. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    Thanks reefmonkey.

    Would love you to add an image of yours.

    Yes, they go by a lot of different names, I got the name off Vividaquariums site, when I purchased it.
     
  5. 2in10

    2in10 Super Moderator

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    Very nice Cheryl, love the mesenterial filaments shot.
     
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  6. FaceOfDeceit

    FaceOfDeceit Hockey Beard

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    I've read that Tort's are a bit more sensitive than most Acropora. Would you agree with this characterization? I have yet to jump into the Tort world, but have been eying a couple recently.
     
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  7. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    Thank you John. :)

    They have not been the easiest corals for me that is for sure. I lost my Cali tort, which was one of my favorite pieces.

    In my experience they are a bit more sensitive. I have a feeling though in a larger tank they might do better than in a nano.

    They do not tolerate swings in parameters well, even small swings. If something is a miss in my tank the Tortuosa is usually the first to show stress.
     
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  9. reefmonkey

    reefmonkey Giant Squid

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    Sure I'll get one on here soon. I'm trying to talk the wife into letting me a Canon EOS Rebel on the card. yeah right! LOL (wish me luck)

    I've had some close calls with my green too. One time last fall a slimer and blue tort just died unexpectedly and the green turned a little brown. It's one of the few corals I took to a friends to keep when I took the 46 down. It's in the 90 at the store now.
     
  10. ReefSparky

    ReefSparky Super Moderator

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    That's a great and informative writeup! Thanks for taking the time and educating us. :)
     
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  11. Matt Rogers

    Matt Rogers Kingfish

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    I am going to try your food suggestions with mine.
    Great write up!
     
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  12. Dingo

    Dingo Giant Squid

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    very awesome write up! And that pic of the filaments are amazing :)
     
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