Acropora microclados

Datasheet

General Description

The Strawberry Shortcake Acropora Coral, belonging to the Acroporidae family, showcases stunning hues of pink and green, bringing a vibrant splash of color to any marine aquarium. This coral species boasts a faster growth rate compared to some Acropora varieties and can adapt well to different lighting conditions. It thrives when provided with intense lighting to maintain optimal coloration and strong water movement within the tank. Strawberry Shortcake Acropora corals can also be propagated from living fragments under ideal conditions.

Demands and Hardiness

To thrive, the Strawberry Shortcake Acropora Coral requires intense lighting, making it suitable for environments with power compacts, VHO, T-5 bulbs, or even more intense metal halides. Supplemental calcium, magnesium, strontium, iodine, and other trace elements should be added regularly to the water to ensure its continued health. Additionally, weekly feeding with micro-plankton or foods designed for filter-feeding invertebrates is essential to provide additional nourishment.

Lighting

For optimal growth and coloration, high lighting is preferable for the Strawberry Shortcake Acropora Coral. While it can be sustained under high-output fluorescent bulbs like T5, it may benefit from more intense lighting sources such as metal halides. Acropora corals are known to exhibit color variations based on the lighting they receive, with some colors potentially changing entirely depending on tank conditions.

Water Flow

Maintaining a medium to strong water flow within the aquarium is crucial for the well-being of the Strawberry Shortcake Acropora Coral. Strong water movement is recommended to simulate its natural habitat conditions and ensure proper nutrient distribution around the coral.

Feeding

Like many coral species, Acropora corals, including the Strawberry Shortcake variety, rely heavily on zooxanthellae for nutrition. However, direct feeding with a variety of frozen fish foods containing essential nutrients such as rotifer-based options with added vitamins and highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) can further support their health. Feeding should involve small-sized food particles that the coral polyps can readily ingest.

Propagation

The Strawberry Shortcake Acropora Coral is a suitable candidate for aquaculture due to its ability to be propagated extensively in captivity. With proper care and conditions, sustainable harvesting of this coral species can be achieved over time, contributing to conservation efforts and availability in the aquarium trade.

Localization & Habitat

In the wild, Acropora corals, including the Strawberry Shortcake variety, are predominantly found in the Indo-Pacific region, spanning areas such as Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, and the renowned Great Barrier Reef. The Strawberry Shortcake Acropora thrives best when placed in the middle to top sections of the aquarium and demonstrates a peaceful temperament within the reef ecosystem.