SPS Coral
🪸 Pocillopora Care Guide
Pocillopora are hardy branching SPS corals that can grow quickly and may reproduce by polyp bailout in some tanks.
⭐ Friday Frags Care Score
⭐ Difficulty
Intermediate
💡 Lighting
Medium to high
🌊 Flow
Medium to high random flow
📍 Placement
Middle to upper rockwork
📈 Growth
Fast
⚠️ Aggression
Low
🍽 Feeding
Mostly photosynthetic
🪸 Overview
Pocillopora are hardy branching SPS corals that can grow quickly and may reproduce by polyp bailout in some tanks.
📦 Acclimation Timeline
🌡 Float Bag
Float the sealed bag for 15–20 minutes to match temperature.
💧 Mix Water
Open the bag and slowly add small amounts of tank water over 20–30 minutes.
🪣 Coral Dip
Use a proper coral dip if you normally dip new arrivals. Always follow the product instructions.
💡 Light Acclimate
Start slightly lower in the tank and increase light exposure gradually if needed.
🪸 Place Carefully
Use the guide placement advice and avoid touching fleshy coral tissue.
👀 Observe
Avoid heavy feeding for 24–48 hours and allow the coral time to settle.
Start Pocillopora in a sensible low-stress position and give it time to settle before making changes.
🧪 Ideal Water Parameters
Temperature
24–26°C
Salinity
1.025
Alkalinity
8–9 dKH
Calcium
420–450 ppm
Magnesium
1300–1400 ppm
Nitrate
2–10 ppm
Phosphate
0.03–0.08 ppm
pH
8.0–8.4
💡 Lighting
Medium to high lighting is generally suitable. Avoid sudden increases in intensity and watch how the animal responds over the first week.
🌊 Flow
Aim for Medium to high random flow. Avoid blasting tissue directly and make sure debris does not settle for long periods.
🍽 Feeding
Mostly photosynthetic. Avoid overfeeding and remove uneaten food where possible.
📍 Placement
Best placed around: Middle to upper rockwork. Give enough room for growth and avoid irritating neighbours.
❤️ Friday Frags Tips
- Give it room to branch.
- Stable alkalinity is key.
- Watch for small colonies appearing elsewhere.
🐛 Pest Awareness
- Aiptasia
- Flatworms
- Vermetid snails
⚠️ Common Problems
- Bleaching
- Tissue loss
- Shading
- Nutrient swings
❓ FAQ
Is Pocillopora beginner friendly?
It is usually considered intermediate when kept in stable reef conditions.
Where should I place Pocillopora?
A good starting point is middle to upper rockwork, then adjust slowly based on extension and colour.
📚 Related Care Guides
Friday Frags Care Note
Every aquarium is different. These guides are based on general reef-keeping practice and Friday Frags experience. Always observe your coral and adjust care if needed.