{"id":14544,"date":"2026-02-18T01:42:28","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T01:42:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/product\/yellow-branch-hard-coral-porites-sp\/"},"modified":"2026-02-18T01:42:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T01:42:28","slug":"yellow-branch-hard-coral-porites-sp","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/?product=yellow-branch-hard-coral-porites-sp","title":{"rendered":"Yellow Branch Hard Coral Porites Sp"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yellow Branch Hard Coral (Porites sp.)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

(Also known as Yellow Finger Coral, Branching Porites, or Golden Porites)<\/em><\/p>\n

Overview<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Yellow Branch Coral (Porites<\/em> sp.) is a resilient and long-lived small-polyp stony (SPS) coral<\/strong>, admired for its slender, branching structure<\/strong> and vivid yellow to golden coloration<\/strong>. Colonies form tight, finger-like projections that can grow into intricate clusters, adding height and texture to reef aquariums. Its fine, smooth surface and small polyps give it a velvety appearance, and under actinic or blue lighting, the coral often displays a bright fluorescent sheen. Known for its durability and slow, steady growth, Porites<\/em> is an excellent choice for experienced reef keepers seeking a colourful, natural-looking SPS coral.<\/p>\n

Origin<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Native to the Coral Sea, Great Barrier Reef, Fiji, Tonga, and widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific region<\/strong>. Found in shallow reef flats and upper reef slopes<\/strong>, where it is exposed to intense sunlight and strong, turbulent water movement.<\/p>\n

Feeding<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Yellow Branch Coral is photosynthetic<\/strong>, hosting zooxanthellae<\/strong> that supply the majority of its nutritional needs through photosynthesis. While direct feeding is not essential, occasional supplementation can enhance polyp health and growth. Offer weekly feedings<\/strong> of:<\/p>\n

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    Marine snow or fine coral plankton blends<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Phytoplankton and microplankton<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Amino acid and trace element supplements<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Maintaining consistent nutrient balance (low but not stripped) supports vibrant coloration.<\/p>\n

    Lighting<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    High lighting.<\/strong> Porites<\/em> thrives under strong, full-spectrum illumination provided by LED, T5, or metal halide<\/strong> systems.<\/p>\n

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      PAR range: 200\u2013400 \u00b5mol\/m\u00b2\/s<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Gradually acclimate to high light to avoid bleaching.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Blue-spectrum lighting highlights its golden and fluorescent tones.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Water Flow<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      Strong, turbulent flow.<\/strong> Consistent, multidirectional water movement prevents detritus buildup, enhances gas exchange, and delivers nutrients evenly. Avoid stagnant zones around the coral\u2019s branches.<\/p>\n

      Placement<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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        Position in the upper third of the aquarium<\/strong>, ideally on rockwork<\/strong> with good flow exposure.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Provide space for upward and outward branching growth.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Avoid placement in shaded areas where light or flow is restricted.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Tank Mates<\/strong><\/h3>\n

        Reef safe.<\/strong> Compatible with:<\/p>\n

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          All peaceful reef-safe fish (tangs, wrasses, gobies, blennies, clownfish, etc.)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Peaceful invertebrates (shrimp, snails, hermits, etc.)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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          Other SPS and non-aggressive LPS corals<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Avoid:<\/p>\n

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            Aggressive corals (e.g., Hydnophora, Galaxea, Euphyllia) placed nearby<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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            Butterflyfish and angelfish species that may nip polyps<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Aggression<\/strong><\/h3>\n

            Peaceful.<\/strong> Porites<\/em> does not extend long sweeper tentacles and will not harm nearby corals, but it can be outcompeted by faster-growing or aggressive species if placed too close.<\/p>\n

            Experience Level<\/strong><\/h3>\n

            Intermediate to advanced.<\/strong> Porites<\/em> requires strong lighting, excellent flow, and very stable water parameters<\/strong>. While hardy once established, it can be sensitive to rapid changes in water chemistry or nutrient swings.<\/p>\n

            Water Parameters<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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            • \n

              Temperature:<\/strong> 24\u201327\u00b0C (75\u201381\u00b0F)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              pH:<\/strong> 8.1\u20138.4<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              Salinity:<\/strong> 1.024\u20131.026 SG<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              Hardness (dKH):<\/strong> 8\u201312<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              Calcium:<\/strong> 400\u2013450 ppm<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              Magnesium:<\/strong> 1250\u20131350 ppm<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              Nitrate:<\/strong> <5 ppm<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              Phosphate:<\/strong> <0.03 ppm<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Tank Size:<\/strong> Minimum 100 gallons (380L)<\/strong> for stability and growth room<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Stable alkalinity and calcium levels are essential for skeletal strength and colour retention.<\/p>\n

              Reef Compatibility<\/strong><\/h3>\n

              Fully reef safe.<\/strong> The Yellow Branch Coral is a durable, attractive SPS species that adds height, structure, and bright contrast to reef aquariums. Its compact growth form and rich golden hues make it a favourite among aquarists seeking a natural reef aesthetic. With proper light, flow, and stable conditions, Porites<\/em> can thrive for many years as a long-term feature coral.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Yellow Branch Hard Coral (Porites sp.) (Also known as Yellow Finger Coral, Branching Porites, or Golden Porites) Overview The Yellow Branch Coral (Porites sp.) is a resilient and long-lived small-polyp stony (SPS) coral, admired for its slender, branching structure and vivid yellow to golden coloration. Colonies form tight, finger-like projections that can grow into intricate […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":14543,"template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[74],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-14544","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-hard-corals","8":"first","9":"instock","10":"taxable","11":"shipping-taxable","12":"purchasable","13":"product-type-simple"},"group_of_quantity":0,"min_quantity":0,"max_quantity":"","exclude_order_quantity_value_rules":"no","exclude_category_quantity_rules":"no","combine_variations":"no","exclude_global_add_ons":[],"addons":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/product\/14544","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14543"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14544"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_brand&post=14544"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_cat&post=14544"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_tag&post=14544"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}