Austera Acropora

Austera Acropora grows in open, arching branches with prominent corallites that give it a sculptural quality — it's one of those species that looks more impressive in person than in photos and ages beautifully in a mature reef. Set it high with intense light and strong randomized flow; austera does particularly well in tanks with wave-style circulation rather than static powerhead output. The risk with this species is that it's a slow communicator — early stress signs are subtle and by the time you see visible tissue recession, you're already chasing a problem. Do weekly visual checks at the base of the colony and supplement with amino acids; austera responds well to organic carbon supplementation for coloration.