Strawberry Shortcake (SSC) Acropora
A variant of Acropora coral (Acropora sp.)
Representative Acropora coralphoto — a dedicated image of this exact morph isn't available yet.
An Acropora microclados with a pink-to-red body and contrasting blue or white polyps/tips, resembling pink frosting with sprinkles.
📜 Backstory
'Strawberry Shortcake' is most associated with Acropora microclados and was popularized in the US hobby by Unique Corals around 2009. Over time it has become a near-catch-all descriptor for pink-body/blue-polyp acros now widely aquacultured, so authenticity of any given 'SSC' varies; the iconic coloration keeps demand and prices high.
Keeper tips for this variant
Needs intense light (PAR 300+) and strong flow to keep the pink saturated; insufficient light turns it brown, too much can bleach the tips.
Other SPS Corals variants
Staghorn / Table Acropora (growth forms)Named designer acros (e.g. ORA, Tyree, WWC morphs)Green Slimer (Acropora yongei)Tricolor / Tricolor Valida (Acropora valida)Pink/Purple Stylophora-tip 'Strawberry Shortcake' (Acropora microclados)Walt Disney (Acropora tenuis)Red Planet (Acropora millepora)Bali/German 'Slimer' & Staghorn forms (Acropora formosa/muricata)Garf Bonsai (Acropora sp.)Oregon Tort (Oregon Blue Tortuosa)Rainbow TenuisRed Dragon AcroporaPink Lemonade AcroporaCali Tort (California Blue Tortuosa)Tierra del Fuego (TDF) AcroporaPikachu AcroporaJason Fox Homewrecker / Miyagi TortPink Cadillac AcroporaWalt DisneyStrawberry ShortcakeWWC Red ShortcakeOregon TortJason Fox HomewreckerTyree Pink LemonadeJackson's Rainbow TenuisRed PlanetMiyagi TortHawkins EchinataGARF BonsaiORA PearlberryCotton Candy TenuisVivid's Bali ShortcakeJF Fox FlameCC Pink Highlighter Tenuis