Blue Ridge Coral

Heliopora coerulea

Saltwater Coral Species Group: Heliopora Family: Helioporidae

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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 Hydrogen

Measuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.

 NO3 1-20 ppm Nitrate

While 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 Nitrite

It is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia

 PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm Phosphate

It is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.

 NH3 <0.1 ppm Ammonia

It is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death

 Ca 380 - 450 ppm Calcium

Supporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae

 KH 8 - 12 dKH Alkalinity

It acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.

 Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm Magnesium

It 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 Salinity

Essential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals

 ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction Potential

A higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.

About Blue Ridge Coral

General information

In general, corals coming from the genus Heliopora takes several coral lifeforms like massive, branching, plate-like, columnar or encrusting. Their skeleton is composed of calcium carbonate and iron salts which gives them the distinct blue skeletal color. 

For the Blue Ridge Coral, they are predominantly colored blue with light brown with light violet polyps. This are the water parameters in cultivating Blue Ridge Coral:

  • Calcium: 400 – 450 ppm
  • Alkalinity: 2.86 – 4.29 MEQ/L (8 – 12dKH)
  • Phosphates: 0
  • Magnesium: 1200 – 1350
  • Strontium: 8 – 10
  • Temperature: 72° – 78° F (22° – 26° C)
  • Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 – 1.025
  • pH: 8.1 – 8.4

Diet & nutrition

The Blue Ridge Coral get its primary nutrition from the symbiotic zooxanthellae living within its tissues. But we still recommend you do supplemental feeding by adding mysis and brine shrimp.

Determining sex

A mature tank is highly recommended in propagating Blue Ridge Coral. They must be set at the middle or bottom part of the tank.

Breeding & spawning

The Blue Ridge Coral requires strong lighting and moderate to strong waterflow.

Origination

The Blue Ridge Coral can be found in the waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean, especially in Japan, Samoa and New Caledonia. They are considered as a vulnerable species listed under Appendix II of the CITES list, which means that their international trade is monitored.

Cautions

Although the Blue Ridge Coral has a peaceful behaviour, proper spacing must be observed since they have thin yet long polyps.

Acclimation process

The Blue Ridge Coral is purely marine. So, therefore, salinity must be maintained thoroughly at 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity.

All photos

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