RR Angry Birds

RR Angry Birds is a highly sought-after named Acropora strain from the Reef Raft USA line, and one of the pieces that helped define the modern high-end acro era. Its signature look is a dark blue-purple body set off by unusually large, rainbow-coloured polyps, with a bright yellow axial corallite marking each growing tip. Few strains pack that much contrast into a single branch, which is why well-coloured colonies are instantly recognisable.

Care

This is an advanced Acropora for a mature SPS system only. Give it high light and strong, random flow, and above all keep alkalinity stable — swings in alkalinity, calcium and magnesium are the fastest way to lose colour or tissue on a strain like this. Keep nutrients present but controlled, test regularly, and change only one variable at a time. Acclimate new frags gradually to intense light rather than placing them at full intensity on day one.

Placement and growth

Place it at the top of the aquascape where light and flow are strongest, with room around it for branching growth at its moderate growth rate. It is peaceful toward neighbours, but it needs space so its branches are not shaded or stung by more aggressive corals. Once settled and encrusting, growth and that rainbow polyp colour are the clearest signs the position is right.