TGC Cherry Bomb

TGC Cherry Bomb is a Tropicana Gardens Corals selection of Acropora tenuis, and its name describes it well. The body and polyps run cherry-red to pink, finished with blue tips, giving each branch a layered, almost candied look. As a tenuis it tends toward a compact, clustered branching form, and the blue tip colour against the red is the signature combination that identifies the strain.

Care

This is an advanced Acropora tenuis for a mature SPS system. It requires high light and strong, random flow, and it is unforgiving of alkalinity swings, so keep alkalinity, calcium and magnesium stable and tested regularly. Maintain nutrients that are low but present, and make changes slowly. Tenuis types can sulk after shipping or fragging, so give a new piece time, steady conditions, and a gradual ramp into full light.

Placement and growth

Place it at the top of the aquascape in peak light and turbulent flow. Growth is moderate, and a firm mount that encourages encrusting will help it settle before it pushes new branches. It is peaceful, but leave space around it — shading and contact with aggressive corals will quickly dull the red and blue contrast you are keeping it for.