Mike Lauderdale

by Mike Lauderdale When I first started keeping SPS (small polyped stony) corals, I had done my research. Well, I thought I had, but as it turns out there is always more to learn and SPS corals are not all that forgiving when it comes Read more here…

by Mike Lauderdale The Pearlberry is one of those corals that most people look at and think “It’s soooo beautiful – I’m going to try my hand at keeping SPS!” For sure, this is an inspiring coral – it is one of the most spectacular Read more here…

By Mike Lauderdale Acropora secale is buff. It works out. Not like a “10 minutes on the treadmill” kind of work out, either. This coral is one of the most dense that I have ever kept in my system. It is a high-energy, high-output kind Read more here…

SPS Spotlight: Mistaken Identity – Acropora tortuosa and Its Imposters By Mike Lauderdale Tortuosa are an especially interesting species of Acropora. As SPS lovers have come to know, the variety of color and growth forms in this group of corals perpetually attracts the interest of reef-aquarium hobbyists. Read more here…

Last month, I wrote about the thick, fusing branches of Acropora austera. This month, I present another thickly growing SPS, the beautiful A. efflorescens. The “efflo” as is frequently called in the aquarium trade, is a plating coral that is rare by SPS standards, growing Read more here…

What’s not to like about an Acropora species that comes in many different variations of color and growth forms, is beautiful, and not too difficult to find? Acropora austera certainly fits that description coming in a wide range of color forms and shapes. It is Read more here…