Sunset Millepora
| Sunset Millepora | Acropora Millepora |
| Placement: | High |
| Light: | High |
| Flow: | Strong |
| Care Level: | Hard |
| Type: | SPS Coral |
| Compatibility: | Peaceful |
| Growth Rate: | Moderate to Fast |
| Photosynthetic: | Yes |
| Special Care: |
Sunset Millepora are one of the most popular millepora colour morphs in the hobby today. Acropora Millepora is probably the second most common type of acropora in home reef tanks, right after Acropora Tenuis. Sunset Millepora have a green and orange body with lime green polyps and light yellow growth tips. Acropora Millepora are a type of acropora that generally grow in a clustered, rather than branching form. Provided there is sufficient flow they will display their large, hairy polyps while feeding.
The Sunset Millepora is native to the western Indo-Pacific region but, due to its popularity, it is also extensively aquacultured both in North America and Indonesia. In the wild, it is found on shallow reefs in areas with high levels of light and water flow. In a home reef tank they should be placed on the rockwork in the upper third of the tank where they will receive high levels of light and flow. Ideally the flow should be randomized and direct flow should be avoided. They will encrust the rockwork around their base and also grow new columns. As with all species of acropora, it is important that tank parameters are kept stable with pristine water quality.
Like all types of acropora, Sunset Millepora love high levels of both light and flow. A coral’s colour is a good indicator of whether or not they are receiving enough light. A coral that is not receiving enough light will often begin to brown, whereas one that is receiving too much light may begin to turn white. Flow should be sufficient to encourage the polyps to extend, giving the coral its trademark hairy appearance.
Sunset Millepora are photosynthetic and are able to use aquarium lighting to meet their energy needs. However, they can be fed if desired. A coral food such as Vitalis SPS Food is a good choice for all SPS corals. Be careful not to overfeed, as this will negatively impact water quality.
This coral is very easy to frag, simply use coral cutters to cut a piece from a colony and glue to frag to a frag plug.