Elongated Corralites Strawberry Shortcake

[mavena]

Hi All

What causes elongated vertical corralites in Strawbery Shortcakes despite high light and. good water quality (700par from Ati straton pro g2, sps+ setting), kh7, ca 400, po4 0.03, no3 2 ?

ICP looks all good

Flow is very strong and random feom both sides

The corralites are vertically elongated in the center but normal on the side

Thanks
Marco

 

[Rocks reef]

That's just new growth, it's normal

 

[386reeftrader]

Love when SSC gets those long axial tips. It's a way for the coral to maximize light to the entire colony. That elongated smooth tips is sort of specific to Microclados but all acropora generally grow outward/horizontally from the edges and vertical towards the center

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

Looks good!!

 

[Science/G]

My little mini is doing the same thing. Your colony looks great!

 

[mavena]

Thank you for your comments - yes it seems to be wuite normal im reef tanks but in my opinion not in wild colonies … at least do i never see this in newly imported pieces

 

[386reeftrader]

Here’s a wild colony where you can see that transformation. Could be less common in wild because flow/sunlight is much stronger so they grow more robust, but it does still happen. I’ve seen plenty of SSC grow both ways in captivity some with long smooth tips other with the more classic Microclados appearance. Would need to know lighting/flow maybe even certain params to better understand what creates that growth more dominant in certain tanks.

 

[mavena]

Oh thank you very much for that picture and your explanation! I didnt know that they can show that growth in the wild aswell.

My current over the Strawberry Shortcake is so strong, that it nearly rips of the flesh at some points, light is about 700 par in a more white setting (SPS+) of a ATI Straton Pro 204 G2.

Nutrients are generally quite low with po4 at 0.03 and No3 at 1 …