Bleeding Apple Acan Bowerbanki
Acanthastrea bowerbanki
Saltwater Coral
Species Group: Acanthastrea
Family: Mussidae
Log in or create an account to add this species to your tanks.
Water parameters
Temp
76-80 F
Temperature
Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.
pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of HydrogenMeasuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.
NO3 1-20 ppm NitrateWhile less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.
NO2 <0.0001 ppm NitriteIt is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia
PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm PhosphateIt is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.
NH3 <0.1 ppm AmmoniaIt is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death
Ca 380 - 450 ppm CalciumSupporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae
KH 8 - 12 dKH AlkalinityIt acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.
Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm MagnesiumIt enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.
SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG SalinityEssential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals
ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction PotentialA higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.
About Bleeding Apple Acan Bowerbanki
General information
Bleeding Apple Acan Bowerbanki is small encrusting corals that have corallites with an irregular angular shape. The central corallite is conspicuous with compact septa and small columellae. This is one of the few species of Acanthastrea that is not fleshy. Its general color range from pale gray or brown and is often mottled.
You also have to look out for other factors and must stay within the range:
- Calcium: 400 – 450 ppm
- Alkalinity: 3.2 – 4.8 MEQ/L
- Phosphates: 0
- Magnesium: 1200 – 1350
- Strontium: 8 – 10
- Temperature: 76° – 83° F (24° – 28° C)
- Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 – 1.025
Diet & nutrition
In the wild, Bleeding Apple Acan Bowerbanki has developed a symbiotic feeding relationship with marine algae called zooxanthellae. But in captivity, you have to feed them with nanoplankton or dissolved organics.
Determining sex
A mature tank is highly recommended in propagating Bleeding Apple Acan Bowerbanki. Water must be changed either 20% per month or 5% weekly. Thriving them with fish is recommended as fish excretes nitrogen that can sustain the coral's growth.
Breeding & spawning
Bleeding Apple Acan Bowerbanki does not need high flow rate and intense light. Giving them moderate lighting allows the Bleeding Apple Acan Bowerbanki to spread their polyps thereby allowing them to feed. Too much light will cause the polyps to be retracted.
Origination
Bleeding Apple Acan Bowerbanki a wide range of habitats and can be found in both tropical and subtropical areas. They irregular in the Indo-West Pacific region ranging from Indonesia to Melanesia and Japan to Australia.
Cautions
Except for their kind, Bleeding Apple Acan Bowerbanki is aggressive towards other species. During the irregular night, they extend their tentacles and sting nearby corals. It is recommended to observe proper spacing between corals. Further, they have the tendency to be overpowered with soft corals and will die especially if soft corals outnumber them.
Acclimation process
Bleeding Apple Acan Bowerbanki purely marine. So, therefore, salinity must be maintained thoroughly at 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity.
All photos
Tap a photo to open the gallery viewer.