Some people might consider something else ruling the reef like the mighty reef sharks, the smart octopus or the myriads of young fish seeking harbor in dense reef structures. We consider the small polyp stony coral Acropora as the true queen of the reef. Acropora comes in different shapes and colors. Some are known as table coral, elkhorn coral or show a staghorn shape. Over 150 species are described with many variations in between. Acropora is in some sense the architect of the reef as the substructure of the living reef formed by the calcium remnants of previous generations of coral. Whole islands and atolls are formed by the coral in generational growth. Acropora is the tropical building expert due to its fast growth and sturdy calcium structure. Most species are found in the Indo-Pacific ocean, but some are found exclusively in the Caribbean. One of the fascinating aspects of the Acropora is that it forms a symbiotic relationship with different algae species that allow the coral to benefit not only from consuming plankton but also to derive energy from photosynthesis. The color of the coral is often determined by the species of symbiotic algae (Symbiodinium) that lives inside the corals cells. The coral appears as a tree like structure, but is an animal. To be precise each coral is actually a colony of single animals often only 2 mm large that are linked together with tissue and a net of nerves the polyps use to communicate with each other. Polyps are typically stretched out to filter plankton out of the passing water. In case of danger the polyp can retract into the safety of the coral. Coral needs a very specific environment with the right amount of water movement, nutrients, temperature and acidity just to name a few. So keeping life coral in an artificial environment like the ornamental fish tank takes skill and some care. In the wild we see coral bleaching when the animal is stressed or exposed to adverse environmental conditions. The coral appears pale white when it looses is algae. Without that it can not create enough nutrients for sustained growth and ultimately dies if it can not replace dying Symbiodinium cells. Its a decay that unfortunately observed in about half the reef systems worldwide. Mostly caused and initiated by man made effects on the environment like pollution, global warming, Sedimentation, and changes in the water chemical composition. The acidification of oceans is here a large problem for corals.

Some people might consider something else ruling the reef like the mighty reef sharks, the smart octopus or the myriads of young fish seeking harbor in dense reef structures. We consider the small polyp stony coral Acropora as the true queen of the reef. Acropora comes in different shapes and colors. Some are known as table coral, elkhorn coral or show a staghorn shape. Over 150 species are described with many variations in between. Acropora is in some sense the architect of the reef as the substructure of the living reef formed by the calcium remnants of previous generations of coral. Whole islands and atolls are formed by the coral in generational growth. Acropora is the tropical building expert due to its fast growth and sturdy calcium structure. Most species are found in the Indo-Pacific ocean, but some are found exclusively in the Caribbean. One of the fascinating aspects of the Acropora is that it forms a symbiotic relationship with different algae species that allow the coral to benefit not only from consuming plankton but also to derive energy from photosynthesis. The color of the coral is often determined by the species of symbiotic algae (Symbiodinium) that lives inside the corals cells. The coral appears as a tree like structure, but is an animal. To be precise each coral is actually a colony of single animals often only 2 mm large that are linked together with tissue and a net of nerves the polyps use to communicate with each other. Polyps are typically stretched out to filter plankton out of the passing water. In case of danger the polyp can retract into the safety of the coral. Coral needs a very specific environment with the right amount of water movement, nutrients, temperature and acidity just to name a few. So keeping life coral in an artificial environment like the ornamental fish tank takes skill and some care. In the wild we see coral bleaching when the animal is stressed or exposed to adverse environmental conditions. The coral appears pale white when it looses is algae. Without that it can not create enough nutrients for sustained growth and ultimately dies if it can not replace dying Symbiodinium cells. Its a decay that unfortunately observed in about half the reef systems worldwide. Mostly caused and initiated by man made effects on the environment like pollution, global warming, sedimentation, and changes in the waters chemical composition. The acidification of oceans is here a large problem for corals.

We at the Bali Coral Farm try to counteract the challenges by raising coral and spreading awareness of the dire situation of our oceans. Our environmentally sensitive coral farming does not endanger existing reefs, and helps to populate reefs with new coral. Acropora in its different forms is a staple of our product line. It is beautiful and can grow relatively fast from golf ball size to a football size colony, even in an aquarium, if it finds the right conditions. We raise Acropora coral in the ocean for a number of reasons. We believe it is best to raise it where the conditions are already ideal. It can form a strong and healthy colony and find the right amount of natural nutrients while it bathes in the glowing sunlight of our tropical waters. The larvae shed from the adult corals can help to repopulate existing reefs and form new ones where it finds acceptable conditions. In some sense are we sowing the seeds in the tides while raising our crop. So we are sending beautiful Acropora coral in planes to all corners of the world, while the larvae from our farm is riding the tides to settle new colonies in faraway places. Acropora reigns worldwide. Some reefs reside in living rooms, others in the shallows of blue waters yet to be discovered.