Purple Acropora sp.

Purple Acropora (Acropora sp.), just added to display tank. Picture taken October 2005, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Sigma 105mm macro lens This is a unidentified species of acropora that seemed like a pretty deep purple at the LFS. To the eye it looks fairly purple but to the camera it looks much more brown. The frag also has a crab within its branches.

Purple Acropora (Acropora sp.), one month later. Picture taken November 2005, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Sigma 105mm macro lens This picture shows the coral one month after being added to the display tank. The coloration of the coral has increased significantly. Some new growth is evident mainly in areas where the coral has anchored itself to the rocks and encrusted over the epoxy putty.

Purple Acropora (Acropora sp.), three months later. Picture taken February 2006, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Sigma 105mm macro lens This coral has continued to change color to a nice shade of blue. The growth rate of the coral seems pretty slow. However new growth can clearly bee seen encrusted along the rock. This is also the first picture to show extended polyps.

Purple Acropora (Acropora sp.), three months later. Picture taken May 2006, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Sigma 105mm macro lens The color of this acropora species is still excellent. Polyp extension is very good now and fully extended during the day as well. Growth rate overall is still very slow, however it is showing significant new encrusting growth.

Purple Acropora (Acropora sp.), as viewed from above. Picture taken June 2006, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Sigma 105mm macro lens As viewed from above.

Purple Acropora (Acropora sp.), as viewed from above. Picture taken September 2006, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Sigma 105mm macro lens This is a macro image as viewed from above. Notice the glowing ring at the base of some of the polyps. I have not noticed this before on other acropora species.

Purple Acropora (Acropora sp.) Picture taken January 2008, Nikon D70 Digital SLR, Nikkor 18-70mm DX lens Considering how slow this coral grows it is showing very good growth and decent color.