How Difficult are Strawberry Shortcake Acros?

[SPS2020]

How does the price match up? They're asking ~$45

That's probably about right for that frag as it is encrusted and looks good. Some of the "frags" over here are sometimes just a little nub.

 

[ScottB]

A steal at $45. Hit it. I did find that it grew bonkers fast in one tank and not so much in the other. But the colors are worth the risk.

 

[gbroadbridge]

So i really like this strawberry shortcake that's up for sale, the guy actually has a few of them but was wondering how difficult they are...I know acros arent easy but my tank is mature and light is definitely strong enough as well as nutrient levels being in check. I know some acros are definitely more difficult than others though so was just wondering where this one ranks on the difficulty scale. It looks to have good PE and is priced at the equivalent of about $45 (idk if that's a good deal or not).
View attachment 3032605

If this is your first acro, is probably not a good idea.

They are pretty fussy and also they are slow growers. It may double in size in 12 months.
Pick something easier to start. $45 is cheap

 

[Pistondog]

So i really like this strawberry shortcake that's up for sale, the guy actually has a few of them but was wondering how difficult they are...I know acros arent easy but my tank is mature and light is definitely strong enough as well as nutrient levels being in check. I know some acros are definitely more difficult than others though so was just wondering where this one ranks on the difficulty scale. It looks to have good PE and is priced at the equivalent of about $45 (idk if that's a good deal or not).
View attachment 3032605

1st acro should be green slimer or plating monti.
I had a shortcake for a year, great grower, but a stupid mistake caused alk to go up 2 points and killed it.
The montis and slimer didnt care.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

1st acro should be green slimer or plating monti.
I had a shortcake for a year, great grower, but a stupid mistake caused alk to go up 2 points and killed it.
The montis and slimer didnt care.

I don't see green slimers much around here at all...i have a couple digis that have shown great growth and are happy as well as an orange branching Psammacora that's very happy and a very happy clam I've had for years if that counts for anything

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

They also have these acros they call "Flaming Sunrise" which look cool...would they be a better choice by chance? Bigger one is ~$30 and the slightly smaller one is ~$27

 

[Pistondog]

I don't see green slimers much around here at all...i have a couple digis that have shown great growth and are happy as well as an orange branching Psammacora that's very happy and a very happy clam I've had for years if that counts for anything

$45 sounds like a good price. Looks like a nice piece. You can decide if you want to risk it.
I did replace mine.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

I would bet the fragments are cut straight from wild colonies and healed. Probably not the best choice for your first acropora, but if you can pick it up in person I would say go for it. If it was from someone who has had it in captivity for a while then I would say go for it.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I would bet the fragments are cut straight from wild colonies and healed. Probably not the best choice for your first acropora, but if you can pick it up in person I would say go for it. If it was from someone who has had it in captivity for a while then I would say go for it.

They've had it for over 3 months

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Well guys, i decided to pull the trigger and order it...i actually did get a small discount so it costed ~$41

 

[Troylee]

They also have these acros they call "Flaming Sunrise" which look cool...would they be a better choice by chance? Bigger one is ~$30 and the slightly smaller one is ~$27View attachment 3033592View attachment 3033593

Looks like the Malaysian speciousa… it’s a slow grower but way cool piece.. that’s an amazing price for it btw! As for hardiness I’d say it’s not as easy as a shortcake since it’s not been around as long in captivity.. it seems to fair okay in my tank but doesn’t grow much like I said..

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Honestly, I'm not looking for much growth as it's a nano tank...just good PE and a healthy coral is what I'm aiming for. Glad to hear i got an amazing price! The shop owner has had it for over 3 months and it has encrusted over the base which is why I felt a sort of safety net (although maybe superficial since there are no guarantees that it'll thrive in my tank)...oh wait , you were referring to the other corals i posted...my bad!

Looks like the Malaysian speciousa… it’s a slow grower but way cool piece.. that’s an amazing price for it btw! As for hardiness I’d say it’s not as easy as a shortcake since it’s not been around as long in captivity.. it seems to fair okay in my tank but doesn’t grow much like I said..

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

They actually have slightly smaller pieces for even cheaper and bigger pieces for only a little more.

Looks like the Malaysian speciousa… it’s a slow grower but way cool piece.. that’s an amazing price for it btw! As for hardiness I’d say it’s not as easy as a shortcake since it’s not been around as long in captivity.. it seems to fair okay in my tank but doesn’t grow much like I said...

 

[Troylee]

Honestly, I'm not looking for much growth as it's a nano tank...just good PE and a healthy coral is what I'm aiming for. Glad to hear i got an amazing price! The shop owner has had it for over 3 months and it has encrusted over the base which is why I felt a sort of safety net (although maybe superficial since there are no guarantees that it'll thrive in my tank)...oh wait , you were referring to the other corals i posted...my bad!

Lol… it’s all good man! You’ll never know if you don’t try! Don’t be scared! Just do it! The pieces look healthy..

 

[Troylee]

They actually have slightly smaller pieces for even cheaper and bigger pieces for only a little more.

That’s crazy! Wish my lfs had pieces like that.. I paid $80 for a 1/2” nub from a fellow reefer.. online that speciousa goes for big money..

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Lol… it’s all good man! You’ll never know if you don’t try! Don’t be scared! Just do it! The pieces look healthy..

This piece is only about $42

 

[Troylee]

This piece is only about $42View attachment 3034143

Wow! $80 in Vegas

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Wow! $80 in Vegas View attachment 3034144

That's crazy!

 

[Cthulukelele]

This piece is only about $42View attachment 3034143

Your lfs seems pretty awesome. I'd get into acros lol

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Your lfs seems pretty awesome. I'd get into acros lol

It's mainly due to the location but the fact that he's willing to negotiate the already comparably low prices makes it even sweeter! The exciting thing here is that you never know what's gonna be available next and each piece is unique and one of a kind as opposed to many LFS in America and elsewhere where there are rows of ten of the same coral lined up for sale.