Can beginners keep this coral?

This species is considered suitable for experienced keepers. It requires stable water quality along with strong lighting and flow, so it's best to gain some reef-keeping experience before bringing one home.

How large does it grow?

The colony can reach up to 1 meter in diameter. It's a good idea to leave plenty of room around it in the tank.

Is it normal for gray polyps to stay extended?

No, extending grayish polyps even during the day is a normal trait of this species and one of its identifying features. It is not a sign of distress.

Can its coloration change over time?

Coloration varies between individuals, ranging from pale pink to brown, and can shift depending on lighting and water conditions. Watching how the color develops after introduction is part of the appeal.

Is this species subject to CITES?

Acropora Microclados (Strawberry Shortcake) is listed in CITES Appendix II. International trade requires a permit from the exporting country, but as far as CITES is concerned, no registration is needed to buy or sell individuals already legally in Japan.

Acropora Microclados (Strawberry Shortcake)

Acropora microclados, known in the hobby as Strawberry Shortcake Acropora (Japanese name: Matsuba Midori-ishi), forms large corymbose colonies that can reach up to 1 meter across. Its branches are short, densely packed, and taper to fine points, giving mature colonies a bristly, pine-needle-like silhouette. Coloration ranges from pale pink to brown, and one of its most distinctive traits is that its grayish polyps stay extended even during the day, a helpful clue for telling it apart from similar Acropora. Because it demands stable water chemistry along with strong lighting and flow, this species is generally recommended for experienced reef keepers ready for the long-term commitment of a growing colony.

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Acropora Microclados (Strawberry Shortcake) key facts

Care level: Advanced
Size: Colonies up to 1 m wide
Temperature: 24〜27℃
Diet: Mainly nutrition from symbiotic zooxanthellae, supplemented with powdered or liquid coral foods and phytoplankton.
Lighting: Requires strong light. AlgaeBarn cites successful Acropora keeping at PAR 800 or more. Start newly added colonies under reduced light and raise it over several weeks.
Flow & Placement: The corymbose colony can spread to 1 m, so allow for its eventual footprint. Give it flow strong enough to keep detritus from settling between the branchlets.
Water Temperature & Quality: Water 22-26C, specific gravity 1.023-1.025, KH 8-12, calcium 380-440 ppm, magnesium 1300-1400 ppm. Sudden swings in alkalinity are the most common cause of tissue loss.
Feeding: Most of its nutrition comes from photosynthesis by its zooxanthellae. Powdered or liquid coral foods and phytoplankton can be offered as a supplement, but stable light and water chemistry matter more than feeding.
Notes: Because the tentacles extend during the day, its feeding response is easy to observe. WoRMS treats the name as a nomen dubium. Listed on CITES Appendix II.

TraitsSPSAcroporaStrawberry ShortcakeCITES II

About Acropora Microclados (Strawberry Shortcake)

Acropora microclados forms corymbose colonies up to 1m across, with short tapering branches and gray polyps that stay extended by day — a coral best suited to experienced reef keepers.

7 things to know before welcoming a Acropora Microclados (Strawberry Shortcake)

1Grows Into Large Colonies
This coral grows into corymbose colonies that can reach up to 1 meter across. Plan its placement with plenty of room to expand, keeping its eventual size in mind from the start.
2Polyps Extended By Day
One key identifying trait of this species is that its grayish polyps stay extended even during the day. Compared to many other Acropora, this makes them easier to observe and gives a simple visual cue for checking colony health.
3Advanced Difficulty Level
Like most Acropora, this species requires stable water parameters, strong lighting, and vigorous flow, making it best suited to experienced reef keepers. Tanks that haven't fully matured yet call for extra caution.
4Distinctive Branch Shape
Its short branches grow densely and taper toward the tips, giving colonies a distinctive bristly form. The base of each branch can reach up to 10mm wide, and the branching pattern becomes more pronounced as the colony matures.
5Color Varies By Individual
Coloration ranges from pale pink to brown and varies between individual colonies. Since lighting and water conditions can shift the coloration even within the same tank, watching how the color develops after introduction is part of the enjoyment.
6Stable Light & Flow Needs
Keeping this coral healthy requires consistently strong lighting and steady water flow over time. Sudden changes in these conditions can stress the colony, so it's best to avoid unnecessary shifts in tank parameters once it's settled in.
7Choose Placement Carefully
Given how large the colony can eventually grow, choose a spot where it won't crowd neighboring corals. Plan the layout with its future size in mind from the outset.

Frequently asked questions about Acropora Microclados (Strawberry Shortcake)

Q.Can beginners keep this coral?: A.This species is considered suitable for experienced keepers. It requires stable water quality along with strong lighting and flow, so it's best to gain some reef-keeping experience before bringing one home.
Q.How large does it grow?: A.The colony can reach up to 1 meter in diameter. It's a good idea to leave plenty of room around it in the tank.
Q.Is it normal for gray polyps to stay extended?: A.No, extending grayish polyps even during the day is a normal trait of this species and one of its identifying features. It is not a sign of distress.
Q.Can its coloration change over time?: A.Coloration varies between individuals, ranging from pale pink to brown, and can shift depending on lighting and water conditions. Watching how the color develops after introduction is part of the appeal.
Q.Is this species subject to CITES?: A.Acropora Microclados (Strawberry Shortcake) is listed in CITES Appendix II. International trade requires a permit from the exporting country, but as far as CITES is concerned, no registration is needed to buy or sell individuals already legally in Japan.