Why is my Acropora tenuis turning brown or losing its vibrant colour?

Browning is typically caused by insufficient lighting, high phosphate or nitrate levels, or a rapid shift in water chemistry. Ensure your lighting intensity is adequate and maintain low nutrients alongside rock-solid alkalinity.

How much flow does an Acropora tenuis really need?

It requires strong, chaotic, and indirect water flow. Direct laminar flow from a powerhead can blast the tissue off the skeleton, whereas turbulent flow brings nutrients, removes waste, and encourages thick, healthy branch growth.

Can I keep Acropora tenuis in a newly set-up reef tank?

No. Acropora species demand high stability that newly established tanks simply cannot provide. A system should be running and biologically stable for at least 6 to 12 months before introducing SPS corals.

What are the signs of Acropora-eating flatworms (AEFW)?

Look for pale bite marks on the tissue, a general loss of colour, poor polyp extension, and clusters of tiny brown eggs near the base of the coral. Regular dipping before introduction is the best prevention.

MarineCoralsAdvanced

Acropora Tenuis

Acropora tenuis

Acropora tenuis is a highly sought-after small polyp stony (SPS) coral known for its dense, corymbose branching structure and stunning array of pastel colours.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 24 – 27 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.024 – 1.026 SG
Adult size: 20 – 50 cm
Mature reef setup: 200 litres+
Lifespan: 10 – 50 years
Diet: Photosynthesis / Zooplankton
Water flow: High, turbulent
Preferred setup: Mature reef with stable water parameters

About the Acropora Tenuis

Native to the shallow reef flats and upper slopes of the Indo-Pacific, Acropora tenuis forms visually striking, bushy colonies. In the aquarium trade, it is prized for its vivid colouration, which frequently features brilliant shades of blue, purple, and green. Because of its sensitivity to fluctuating water parameters and its requirement for optimal environmental conditions, it is generally recommended for experienced reef keepers managing mature marine systems.

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Is it right for your tank?

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Where Acropora Tenuis comes from

Native range

Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, Great Barrier Reef

Countries / regions

Australia, Indonesia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea

Habitat

Upper reef slopes, shallow reef flats, and crests with strong water movement and intense light.

Widespread across tropical coral reefs in the Indo-West Pacific region.

Similar species

Acropora millepora
Acropora millepora
Acropora cervicornis
Acropora cervicornis
Acropora yongei
Acropora yongei

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

View all compatibility

Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
An active herbivore that tirelessly grazes on nuisance algae, keeping the coral base clean without damaging the polyps.
Great
Six Line Wrasse
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Excellent at hunting down and eating pests like flatworms or small pyramid snails that might otherwise distress SPS corals.
Great
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa
While often reef-safe, dwarf angelfish may occasionally nip at coral polyps and mantles, requiring close observation.
Compatible with caution
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Chaetodon lunula
A known corallivore that will actively consume coral polyps, causing rapid tissue loss and death to the colony.
Not recommended
Longspine Urchin
Diadema setosum
Can be clumsy in a densely packed reef, potentially breaking delicate Acropora branches as it forages.
Not recommended

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