Tank fouling community enhances coral microfragment growth

Abstract

Anthropogenic stressors threaten reefs worldwide and natural in situ coral reproduction may be inadequate to meet this challenge. Land-based culture can provide increased coral growth, especially with microfragments. We tested whether culture methods using different algal fouling communities could improve the growth and health metrics of microfragments of the Hawaiian coral, Porites compressa. Culture method fouling communities were: (1) similar to a reef environment (Mini Reef); (2) clean tanks managed to promote crustose coralline algae (Clean Start); and (3) tanks curated beforehand with poorly-competing algae (Green Film) assessed in winter and summer months. The Green Film method during the winter produced the fastest microfragment mean growth at 28 days until the first row of new polyps developed, and also the highest tank and plate metric health scores. Time efficient, standardized methods for land-based culture designed to maximize growth and production of coral fragments will contribute considerably to the success of large-scale restoration efforts.