TM
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TM
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Limited Edition
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Leo of Coral Revolution acquired the original Wicked Orchid Acropora in December 2013. It was initially just a browned out colony from Indonesia. It did have some diamond in the rough characteristics that Leo spotted. At first he assumed it was a deepwater as no polyp extension or feeders were observed. However over the first few months of acclimation under T5 lighting, the branch ends began to develop reddish violet colored new growth tips. Polyps also began to extend while the coral was recovering from harvesting and shipping stress. The polyps extended so much that a long extended metallic shimmering tentacle began to obscure the visible corallites. The coral has a similar morphology to the Old School Pink Lemonade, but contains completely different color pigment characteristics.
Leo recommends medium to high flow. It seems that the stronger the flow, the more polyp extension will occur. Obviously however if the flow is too intense the polyps will retract due to physical damage. The coral can be maintained under low lighting similar to deep water Acropora, but can adapt to stronger light levels by turning its body a more pale color. Under lower lighting the main body has a deeper coloration.
Steve Tyree is maintaining a seed section of this coral for Reeffarmers.com in an 8 foot raceway Gyre BiZonal system. This system is naturally filtered with a semi-cryptic zone and a reef flat exposed zone. In Steve's captive reef the coral is positioned to receive moderate to strong light levels from a 400 watt SE 20,000 K metal halide. The first retail edition fragment of this coral is being sold on our Buy It Now web page. Retail fragments of this coral currently list for $125.00 as of August 1st 2014.
