Survival and Growth of Acropora spp. Branching and Tabulate Corals Using the Line Rope Method in the Waters of Tunda Island

¹ Department of Fisheries Science, University of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, Serang, Indonesia
² Coral Defender, University of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, Serang, Indonesia
³ Marine Resilience Initiative for Conservation, Indonesia
⁴ Department of Marine Science, University of Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, Serang, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Acropora is a genus of coral that is traded as an ornamental commodity and often used for transplantation. This genus has unique life forms, including branching and tabulate forms. Coral cultivation efforts or the creation of in situ coral nurseries have been carried out in several places in Banten Province. One potential location is the waters of Tunda Island. The technique that can be used for nurseries is the use of a line rope; however, information regarding the survival and growth of Acropora spp. using a line rope on Tunda Island is not yet available. Therefore, research is needed to assess the survival and growth of Acropora spp. with two life forms (branching and tabulate) on Tunda Island. The study was conducted from July 2025 to January 2026. The study used 38 Acropora spp. (branching and tabulate). Fragments are placed along a length of line rope. The range of every fragment is 10 cm. Observations of survival, vertical growth, and horizontal growth were carried out every 3 months. During the study, water physicochemical parameters were also measured. The survival and growth data obtained were analyzed using a t-test. The water physicochemical data were analyzed descriptively. The study found no difference in the survival and growth of Acropora spp. branching and Acropora spp. tabulate in Tunda Island. The final survival after 6 months ranged from 89.5±31.53 to 68.4±47.76%. Absolute vertical growth ranged from 1.94±1.82 to 2.65±2.98 cm, and horizontal growth ranged from 1.59±1.70 to 2.06±1.82 cm. Water quality conditions during the study were salinity of 30 ppt, pH 7.49, nitrate <0.379 mg/L, and phosphate 1.378 mg/L, which could support coral life on Tunda Island.