Elkhorn Coral

Acropora palmata is the Elkhorn — an iconic Caribbean SPS with broad, flattened, antler-like branches and one of the most demanding care profiles in the hobby; this is a serious keeper's coral. Top-tank placement under the highest light you can provide with strong, turbulent flow; it evolved in the wave surge zone of shallow Caribbean reefs and needs that energy to thrive. Everything must be dialed — alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, temperature, and salinity all need to be rock-solid; Acropora palmata is fast-growing when happy but declines rapidly when any parameter drifts, and RTN can wipe a colony in hours. No target feeding; this coral lives on light and clean, NSW-parameter water — your energy goes into maintaining the system, not feeding the coral.