Garf Bonsai Acropora: A Legendary Classic for the Discerning Reefer
Add a piece of reef-keeping history to your aquarium with the iconic Garf Bonsai Acropora. This legendary Small Polyp Stony (SPS) coral is a classic among enthusiasts, prized for its stunning, deep purple to dark violet branches that are brilliantly accented by bright, neon green polyps. Under blue actinic lighting, the green polyps fluoresce intensely, creating a breathtaking contrast against the dark purple skeleton. The coral grows in a dense, roundish bush-like formation, making it a beautiful and rewarding centerpiece for any advanced reef system.
Authentic Lineage & Aquacultured Hardiness
This frag is from an aquacultured source, grown in a controlled environment to ensure it is hardier and better adapted to life in home aquariums. We take pride in offering an authentic strain of this classic coral, ensuring you receive a piece with the true, legendary characteristics that have made the Garf Bonsai a staple in the hobby for decades. You will receive a healthy, established frag, typically ¾ to 1 inch in size, securely attached to a frag plug.
For Experienced Reefers
The Garf Bonsai is best suited for intermediate to advanced aquarists. Like most Acropora, it requires stable, pristine water conditions and consistent attention to water chemistry. While it is considered one of the more bulletproof Acropora species, it is not a coral for beginners. However, for those willing to meet its needs, it is an incredibly rewarding and fast-growing coral that will become a showpiece in your tank.
Lighting & Flow
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Lighting: Requires moderate to high lighting (T5, LED, or metal halide). For optimal growth and coloration, an ideal PAR range of 250–450 is recommended. A blue-heavy spectrum is excellent for sustaining its deep purple coloration.
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Water Flow: Prefers strong, intermittent, and turbulent water flow. A random, surge-style flow pattern is important to deliver nutrients and keep the coral's dense branch structure clean.
Placement & Growth
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Placement: Best placed in the upper third of your aquascape, where it can receive high light and strong flow. Maintain a spacing of 3 to 6 inches from other corals, as it is considered semi-aggressive.
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Growth Rate: The Garf Bonsai has a moderate growth rate. Under optimal conditions, you can expect steady encrusting and branching, with a small frag growing into a 3 to 5 inch colony in 6 to 12 months.
Feeding & Nutrition
While the Garf Bonsai derives most of its energy from photosynthesis, it will benefit from supplemental feedings. Target feeding with fine particulate foods such as microplankton, rotifers, oyster eggs, or amino acid supplements can promote vibrant coloration and faster growth.
Recommended Water Parameters
Maintaining pristine and stable water parameters is critical for the health of this coral.
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Temperature: 74–81°F (stability is essential)
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Salinity: 1.024–1.026
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pH: 8.1–8.4
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Alkalinity: 7–9.5 dKH (stability is paramount)
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Calcium: 400–450 ppm
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Magnesium: 1280–1350 ppm
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Nitrate: 2–10 ppm
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Phosphate: 0.02–0.08 ppm
A Living Legend for Your Reef
The Garf Bonsai Acropora is more than just a coral—it's a piece of reef-keeping history. Its iconic deep purple and neon green coloration, combined with its classic, bushy growth form, makes it a standout piece that every SPS enthusiast should have in their collection. Add this legendary Acropora to your reef today and enjoy a vibrant, fast-growing centerpiece that will captivate for years to come.
Important Handling Note: Handle Acropora with care, as their branches can be brittle. Always wear gloves when handling corals. This is an SPS coral that requires a mature, stable reef system. Sudden changes in water parameters can cause stress or color loss.