Branching Porites

Porites sp

Saltwater Coral Species Group: Porites Family: Poritidae

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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 Branching Porites

General information

In general, corals coming from the genus Porites are characterized by having a finger like assymetrical morphology.  They have calices that are widely spaced and reticulum with walls that are well developed. Porites are known to host a variety of marine worms, particularly the Christmas Tree worm (Spirobranchus porites).  

For the Branching Porites, they are predominatly colored brown with yelow-brown tentacles. This are the water parameters for cultivating Branching Porites:

  • Calcium: 400 – 450 ppm
  • Alkalinity: 2.86 – 3.93 MEQ/L (8 – 11 dKH)
  • Phosphates: 0
  • Magnesium: 1200 – 1350
  • Strontium: 8 -10
  • Temperature: 74° – 83° F (23° – 28° C)
  • Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 – 1.025

Diet & nutrition

Branching Porites can survive without feeding courtesy from the nourishment it recieves from the symbiotic zooxanthellae that is living within them. However, they will not grow in to a bigger colony. With this and for faster growth, you need to feed them with supplemental foods like krill, mysis or brine shrimp. The addition of dissolved organics is also recommended.

Determining sex

A mature tank is highly recommended in propagating Branching Porites. They need to be set at the bottom portion of the tank where lighting and flow rate are in moderation.

Breeding & spawning

Branching Porites requires moderate lighting and moderate water flow. Too much water flow causes the polyps to be retracted and feeding cannot take place.

Origination

Branching Porites can be found in the Indo-west Pacific Ocean. However, their global population is considered vulnerable due to increasing seawater temperature and other factors associated with climate change. They are now listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which means that their global trading is now monitored.

Cautions

Branching Porites must be set in the tank with enough spacing in relation to other coral species.

Acclimation process

Since the Branching Porites are a marine species, salinity must be entirely maintained at 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity. They should be immediately set to its receiving substrate like rocks and be permanently positioned using gel glue so that the colonization process can commence.

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