🍰🌈 Acropora microclados “Strawberry Shortcake” – Base Frag
WYSIWYG Frag – Classic Shortcake Colour Foundation
🔹 Quick Stats
Care Level: Advanced
Temperament: Peaceful (requires spacing from neighbouring SPS colonies)
Colour Form: The Strawberry Shortcake Base Frag displays the classic early-stage colour foundation of the famous Shortcake lineage, featuring a soft pink to strawberry-toned base with creamy yellow to light pastel growth tips. Under actinic lighting the coral develops glowing pink fluorescence while subtle green or yellow highlights begin to appear around the axial tips. Under balanced white lighting the frag reveals gentle gradients of strawberry pink, coral blush and pale golden tips that will intensify as the coral grows.
Water Conditions: 24–26 °C, dKH 7.5–8.5, pH 8.0–8.4, sg 1.024–1.026
Family: Acroporidae
Lighting: High (PAR 250–350)
Water Flow: Strong, random and turbulent
Placement: Upper rockwork
Type: WYSIWYG Frag
🧬 Overview
The Acropora “Strawberry Shortcake” Base Frag represents the early colour expression of one of the most iconic SPS corals in the reef hobby. As the coral matures under strong lighting and stable parameters, the colour palette typically develops further into the well-known combination of pink base, yellow tips and green highlights.
Shortcake-style Acropora are highly prized for their layered colour development and elegant branching structure, making them a favourite among SPS collectors and aquascapers alike.
Even at the frag stage, this coral already shows strong pigmentation and excellent growth potential, making it an exciting addition for reefers looking to grow out a future centerpiece colony.
WYSIWYG:
You will receive the exact frag shown in the photo. Each specimen is individually photographed and selected for colour potential, structural integrity and coral health.
Selected for:
• Strawberry pink base coloration
• Clean early-stage Shortcake growth structure
• Healthy tissue and active growth tips
• Strong colour development potential
• Proven performance under reef LED lighting
🍽️ Care & Feeding
Like most Acropora, Shortcake varieties rely primarily on photosynthesis but benefit from nutrient-balanced reef environments and occasional coral feeding.
Recommended feeding 1–2× weekly:
• Amino acid supplements
• Fine planktonic coral foods
• SPS blends / reef snow
• Broadcast feeding in mature reef systems
📈 Optimal Parameters
Parameter | Ideal Range
Alkalinity (dKH) | 7.5–8.5
Calcium (Ca) | 420–450 ppm
Magnesium (Mg) | 1300–1400 ppm
Nitrate (NO₃) | 5–15 ppm
Phosphate (PO₄) | 0.03–0.10 ppm
📍 Placement
Place in high light and strong chaotic flow to encourage strong colour development and compact branching growth.
Allow sufficient space from neighbouring SPS colonies to prevent shading and support natural growth.
🍰 Acropora “Strawberry Shortcake” – Base Frag
The foundation of a legendary SPS — strawberry pink today, future rainbow showpiece tomorrow.