Tidal Gardens, Inc. - Coral Propagation
 
Favia
Montipora
Parazoanthus
Ricordea
Caulastrea
Acanthastrea
Porites
Jeweled Coral

Indo-Pacific - Islands of the Indopacific including Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef.

Intense lighting is recommended for best coloration and overall health. Use either Metal Halide lighting or a large bank of high output fluorescent or compact fluorescent bulbs. If not provided proper lighting, the colors of Porites may fade, but worse the coral may not receive enough energy and perish.

Strong water movement is recommended.

Porites relies heavily on the products of their zooxanthellae. This coral may benefit from the addition of phytoplankton as a food source. While the coral itself may consume some phytoplankton, the real benefit is the increased population of rotifers that feed on the phytoplankton. Rotifers make a good meal to a vast array of corals. If phytoplankton is not readily available, you may attempt to feed the coral finely ground meaty foods. The food should almost have a paste-like consistency before being administered.

In terms of propagation, this genus has been successfully fragmented however asexual reproduction in this way is a slow process. While efforts to aquaculture Porites are to be praised, it has yet to be shown that they can be propagated cost effectively. Perhaps in time new methods of propagation or even sexual reproduction will be available. For now however, it is unlikely that they are a sustainable harvest in captivity.


References

Borneman, Eric H. 2001 Aquarium Corals: Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History Microcosm Ltd. ISBN: 1-890087-47-5. pg 242-245. Buy it

Calfo, Anthony R. 2001 Book of Coral Propagation, Volume 1: Reef Gardening for Aquarists readingtrees.com ISBN: 0-971637-10-5. pg 243-245. Buy it

Fossa, Svein A., Alf Jacob Nilsen 1998 The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium Vol. 2 Birgit Schmettkamp Verlag ISBN: 3-928819-23-2. pg 376-382. Buy it

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