Are your SPS getting enough vitamin C?

In vertebrates, vitamin C is an essential nutrient for bone morphogenesis.  It turns out that it may also be important – very important – for coral skeletal morphogensis.  For the stony coral Porites astreoides, researchers found the vitamin C transporter SLC23A were heavily expressed in regions adjacent to rapid skeleton formation, suggesting vitamin C is a critical component for calcification.

Several aquarium chemical manufacturers already market vitamin C supplements (either direct or part of a “full spectrum” supplement).  Most manufacturers tout its benefit as an immune system booster, not an essential component for coral calcification.  Now, there is actual data to support the use of vitamin C.

The study is reported in American Geophysical Union’s 2016 Ocean Sciences Meeting.