Acropora speciosa

Acropora speciosa is a highly sought-after bottlebrush to table-forming Acropora, recognised for long tubular axial corallites and irregular horizontal branches that give colonies an open, sculptural structure. Aquacultured pieces show an unusually wide colour range — purple, blue and red, often with yellow tips, and rainbow combinations in the best-lit examples. Growth is slow, so colour and form develop gradually in a well-kept colony.

Care

Treat this as an expert-level, deepwater-leaning Acropora for a mature, stable SPS system only. Alkalinity stability is the priority above all else; even small swings can stall growth or dull colour. Keep calcium and magnesium consistent in step with alkalinity, and test often enough to spot trends before they become swings. It needs high, strong random flow — never a constant jet on one side — to keep its long axials clean. Light is medium to high rather than blasting: aim for PAR 150–300 and acclimate slowly, as smooth, deepwater types often colour better without excessive intensity. An encrusting base and consistent polyp extension are your health signs.

Placement and growth

Place it in the middle to top of the rockwork where it receives filtered high light and broad, turbulent flow. Leave at least 2 in of minimum clearance around it, and give wide room overall — the horizontal, table-like branches will reach outward as the colony matures and should not be crowded into shade. Expect slow growth; do not move it repeatedly while it is basing down, as stability is what eventually produces extension and colour.