| Coral Propagation |
| We Can We Save The Reefs Through Coral Propagation |
The stony coral are the species mostly responsible
for creating coral reefs. Living colonies of coral
animals make up the world’s coral reefs. Calcium
carbonate is secreted from coral animals to make
their exoskeletons to support their own bodies.
Living in warm marine waters the stony coral, which
cluster in groups of polyps, accumulate over time
creating the reef structures we see in coral reefs.
for creating coral reefs. Living colonies of coral
animals make up the world’s coral reefs. Calcium
carbonate is secreted from coral animals to make
their exoskeletons to support their own bodies.
Living in warm marine waters the stony coral, which
cluster in groups of polyps, accumulate over time
creating the reef structures we see in coral reefs.
Coral reefs are home to large
numbers of ocean life including the
seahorse and clown fish.
numbers of ocean life including the
seahorse and clown fish.
Stony Coral
Pacific Ocean Coral Reef
Coral Can Be Grown In The Aquarium If The Proper Lighting Is Utilized
The popularity of coral for the aquarium trade, combined with ocean pollution and wild harvesting activities, the survival of the coral reefs are in jeopardy. Its survival may depend upon developing better methods of coral propagation.
Even hobbyists can provide a valuable contribution to the sustainable use of marine resources
by utilizing appropriate culture techniques for stony corals. In this pursuit it has become
essential for research scientists to identify the ‘optimum’ culture propagation techniques.
What is the best environment for coral propagation? What is the best artificial light and
substrate that will enhance coral growth in an aquarium?
We will utilize research studies to help answer these questions.
Lighting For Coral Growth
Research studies have shown that the coral Acropora solitaryensis grows faster under higher
Kelvin lamps, but either cement or marble substrate has no influence on its growth rate.
The propagation of Acropora corals in aquariums is highly dependent on the artificial lighting
regimes used.
Survival of A. solitaryensis is strongly influenced by light, with lamps of higher Kelvin ratings
achieving better survival rates.
Some researchers have found that the best regime for the propagation A. solitaryensis is a
combination of 20000 Kelvin lamps and cement blocks as attachment substrate. This
combination yielded a survival rate of 83% and a higher growth rate.
When corals are maintained for short periods, such as in holding tanks it may be possible to use
the cheaper 5500 Kelvin lamps if the corals are to be kept for 1 month or less, since this lamp
performed best in terms of survival during the first month, although growth under this light
was slow and survival rates were lower.
Short-term survival of A. solitaryensis is possible under low Kelvin lamps, but mass gain is
enhanced with lamps at 14000 Kelvin
and above.
In general, studies using various lighting conditions scientists found that during the final month
of culture, corals grew significantly faster under the 20 000 K light irrespective of substrate
type.
Substrates for Coral Propagation
Scientists have found that there was no difference in survival between light treatments for
corals grafted onto marble blocks.
Studies have demonstrated that coral will grow on cement or marble and there is no
differences between the two as far as growth rate and survival. Survival is similar for
fragments grafted onto cement or marble substrates.
Corals grafted onto cement blocks and grown in aquariums survived significantly better under
the 20000 K lamp compared to those under 10000 K and 5500 K lamps and there was no
significant difference in survival between light quality for corals grafted onto marble blocks or
cement.
Anchorage to the Substrate
The type of substrtae is unimportant, but the ability of the coral to anchor onto a substrate is
essential for its survival in aquarium propagation situation.
Critical for the survival of fragments in the initial period after transplantation is growth that
ensures secure anchorage of fragments to the substrate. Because light is the key
environmental factor in the metabolism of corals, artificial lighting must meet the energy
requirements of the symbiotic algae
When light stimulation falls below the coral's compensation point, no energy remains for growth
and reproduction, and attachment to substrates will be inadequate. Studies have shown that
mortality due to poor anchoring is much higher if coral is under the 10000 Kelvin
lamps.
Different Lighting For Different Coral Growth Periods
Studies have also shown that coral need different lighting for optimum growth at different
stages.
Lighting For The Second Month Of Growth
During the second month in culture, corals in the 10000 K light will lose weight, resulting in
much less growth. When corals are grown under the 14000 K and 20000 K light during the
second month will actually gain significantly more mass.
Lighting For The Last Month of Growth
Scientists have found that during the final month of culture, coral grows much faster if placed
under the 20 000 K light irrespective of substrate type.
Light Bandwidths Effect Growth Of Cultured Coral
Researchers also find that narrow bandwidths of light such as ‘pure’ red and blue light strongly
affect tissue pigmentation and health of corals.
The growth and survival of A. solitaryensis will be higher under blue light than under red
because the bandwidth influences chlorophyll-a absorption.
Conclusion:
In order to save the coral reefs we need to learn coral propagation using artificial methods in
the aquarium environment. To do this we consulted the scientific literature.
Scientists seem to agree that lighting is the most important consideration in coral survival and
growth in artificial conditions.
The type of artificial light corals need when grafted onto either cement blocks or marble
blocks is the 20000 K lamp. When coral was placed under 10000 K and 5500 K lamps mortality
was higher and growth mass and growth rates were slower. Also, light quality effected growth
at different stages of coral growth. Studies also show that the bandwidth of lighting is
important. Blue light provided better growth because it influences chlorophyll-a absorption.
Coral can be artificially grown if the proper lighting is used. Knowledge provided by scientists
can help save the oceans beautiful coral reefs. Copyright 2012.
References
Anthony, K.R.N., Hoegh-Guldberg, O., 2003. Variation in coral photosynthesis, respiration and
growth characteristics in contrasting light microhabitat. Functional Ecology, vol. 17.
Bellwood, D.R., Hughes, T.P., Folke, C., Nystrom, M., 2004. Confronting the coral reef crisis.
Nature, vol 429.
Tlusty, M., 2002. The benefits and risks of aquacultural production for the aquarium trade.
Aquaculture, vol. 205.
Soong, K., Chen, T.A., 2003. Coral transplantation: regeneration and growth of Acropora
fragments in a nursery. Restor. Ecol., vol. 11.
Riddle, D., Olaizola, M., 2002. Lighting the reef aquarium—spectrum or intensity? Advanced
Aquarist Online Magazine, vol. 1.
The popularity of coral for the aquarium trade, combined with ocean pollution and wild harvesting activities, the survival of the coral reefs are in jeopardy. Its survival may depend upon developing better methods of coral propagation.
Even hobbyists can provide a valuable contribution to the sustainable use of marine resources
by utilizing appropriate culture techniques for stony corals. In this pursuit it has become
essential for research scientists to identify the ‘optimum’ culture propagation techniques.
What is the best environment for coral propagation? What is the best artificial light and
substrate that will enhance coral growth in an aquarium?
We will utilize research studies to help answer these questions.
Lighting For Coral Growth
Research studies have shown that the coral Acropora solitaryensis grows faster under higher
Kelvin lamps, but either cement or marble substrate has no influence on its growth rate.
The propagation of Acropora corals in aquariums is highly dependent on the artificial lighting
regimes used.
Survival of A. solitaryensis is strongly influenced by light, with lamps of higher Kelvin ratings
achieving better survival rates.
Some researchers have found that the best regime for the propagation A. solitaryensis is a
combination of 20000 Kelvin lamps and cement blocks as attachment substrate. This
combination yielded a survival rate of 83% and a higher growth rate.
When corals are maintained for short periods, such as in holding tanks it may be possible to use
the cheaper 5500 Kelvin lamps if the corals are to be kept for 1 month or less, since this lamp
performed best in terms of survival during the first month, although growth under this light
was slow and survival rates were lower.
Short-term survival of A. solitaryensis is possible under low Kelvin lamps, but mass gain is
enhanced with lamps at 14000 Kelvin
and above.
In general, studies using various lighting conditions scientists found that during the final month
of culture, corals grew significantly faster under the 20 000 K light irrespective of substrate
type.
Substrates for Coral Propagation
Scientists have found that there was no difference in survival between light treatments for
corals grafted onto marble blocks.
Studies have demonstrated that coral will grow on cement or marble and there is no
differences between the two as far as growth rate and survival. Survival is similar for
fragments grafted onto cement or marble substrates.
Corals grafted onto cement blocks and grown in aquariums survived significantly better under
the 20000 K lamp compared to those under 10000 K and 5500 K lamps and there was no
significant difference in survival between light quality for corals grafted onto marble blocks or
cement.
Anchorage to the Substrate
The type of substrtae is unimportant, but the ability of the coral to anchor onto a substrate is
essential for its survival in aquarium propagation situation.
Critical for the survival of fragments in the initial period after transplantation is growth that
ensures secure anchorage of fragments to the substrate. Because light is the key
environmental factor in the metabolism of corals, artificial lighting must meet the energy
requirements of the symbiotic algae
When light stimulation falls below the coral's compensation point, no energy remains for growth
and reproduction, and attachment to substrates will be inadequate. Studies have shown that
mortality due to poor anchoring is much higher if coral is under the 10000 Kelvin
lamps.
Different Lighting For Different Coral Growth Periods
Studies have also shown that coral need different lighting for optimum growth at different
stages.
Lighting For The Second Month Of Growth
During the second month in culture, corals in the 10000 K light will lose weight, resulting in
much less growth. When corals are grown under the 14000 K and 20000 K light during the
second month will actually gain significantly more mass.
Lighting For The Last Month of Growth
Scientists have found that during the final month of culture, coral grows much faster if placed
under the 20 000 K light irrespective of substrate type.
Light Bandwidths Effect Growth Of Cultured Coral
Researchers also find that narrow bandwidths of light such as ‘pure’ red and blue light strongly
affect tissue pigmentation and health of corals.
The growth and survival of A. solitaryensis will be higher under blue light than under red
because the bandwidth influences chlorophyll-a absorption.
Conclusion:
In order to save the coral reefs we need to learn coral propagation using artificial methods in
the aquarium environment. To do this we consulted the scientific literature.
Scientists seem to agree that lighting is the most important consideration in coral survival and
growth in artificial conditions.
The type of artificial light corals need when grafted onto either cement blocks or marble
blocks is the 20000 K lamp. When coral was placed under 10000 K and 5500 K lamps mortality
was higher and growth mass and growth rates were slower. Also, light quality effected growth
at different stages of coral growth. Studies also show that the bandwidth of lighting is
important. Blue light provided better growth because it influences chlorophyll-a absorption.
Coral can be artificially grown if the proper lighting is used. Knowledge provided by scientists
can help save the oceans beautiful coral reefs. Copyright 2012.
References
Anthony, K.R.N., Hoegh-Guldberg, O., 2003. Variation in coral photosynthesis, respiration and
growth characteristics in contrasting light microhabitat. Functional Ecology, vol. 17.
Bellwood, D.R., Hughes, T.P., Folke, C., Nystrom, M., 2004. Confronting the coral reef crisis.
Nature, vol 429.
Tlusty, M., 2002. The benefits and risks of aquacultural production for the aquarium trade.
Aquaculture, vol. 205.
Soong, K., Chen, T.A., 2003. Coral transplantation: regeneration and growth of Acropora
fragments in a nursery. Restor. Ecol., vol. 11.
Riddle, D., Olaizola, M., 2002. Lighting the reef aquarium—spectrum or intensity? Advanced
Aquarist Online Magazine, vol. 1.
Scientific Research
Articles:
Clown Fish
Sea Anemones
Seahorses
Coral Propagation
Articles:
Clown Fish
Sea Anemones
Seahorses
Coral Propagation