Top 10 all time acropora

[greg1786]

After reading a recent thread this evening here on reef2reef about the ORA pearlberry acro I got to thinking. What would be my all time top 10 acropora list. I was out of the hobby for a good 3 years until about 4 or 5 months ago. I was beginning to compile a list of acros I used to have that would be a must "re-acquire" for the new set up. Some of those acros included the Oregon tort, ORA pearlberry, purple monster, strawberry shortcake, and pink lemonade among many others. That said, I'd like to pose a question to all you stick heads out there. Can we, as a group, create a list that would comprise of the top 10 all time acropora. I know this may be difficult as everyone has varying "tastes" in corals, but imho there are some across that are just simply the undisputed heavyweights of sps group. Two corals that I would say are most likely on EVERYONES top 10 all time would be the purple monster and the Oregon tort. So...lets get down to it....lend me your opinions and expertise guys and gals! Look forward to hearing what you think, as always pics are welcomed and encouraged ps the purple monster photo is not mine just used for reference

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Wow, this is going to be a chaotic list to make

I think by all accounts, you would need to include the Homewrecker (Perhaps the JF lineage?) since it has created such a stir in the stick community. On the same accord, you would also need to include the Walt Disney tenuis.

I'm also a huge fan of Red Planet and PC Rainbow

 

[dohc97]

There are some sps I would put on the list that are not really as colorful but have been important to the hobby. I also think if you are doing best looking the corals need to look great under all types of lighting. Yes I am an old reefer that hates this blue trend most of you are on. I own 2 wd frags and a hw, none of them look particularly amazing under my whiter light.

I'll agree with:
Purple monster
Oregon blue tort(own)

I'll add:
Pink lemonade(own)
Tricolor valida(used to own)
Green slimer( its what a lot of us started with)

 

[Labridaedicted]

From above, you have to include some classics:
Green Slimer
Oregon Tort
Red Dragon (remember when this one cane on the scene? It was s huge deal)
Red Planet
Bonsai
Purple Monster

And you would probably need to include a few of the rainbow tenius morphs that are around. I'd be inclined to go with the Homewrecker since it was the one (If I remember correctly) that started this current craze. I would say the WD is the one that really epitomizes the craze.

I would probably include the Hawkins echinata as well since its a pretty iconic piece that's stood the test of time.

 

[dohc97]

I'll add:
garf bonsai
20k lokani
Crayola plana

Agree with hawkins echinata

 

[jda]

Anything on the bottom half of the reeffarmers LE acropora page... when they really did a good job. Anything from ORA before 2008ish. The stuff that people remember from Vivid, too. LeRoy did hit a home run with GARF Bonsai.

Time is a factor that is needed in all of this, IMO.

There was an encrusting monti craze a few years ago. These faded in desirability.

About a decade ago, starburst cap and forest fire digi were all of the rage, but time cooled them. There are a lot of current corals that will cool, as well. The best candidate in the last few years to be an all-time coral is the Fox Flame - it needs no lighting tricks or photoshop, lots of people like it and it grows well.

Before this, there was an efflo craze, but these will fail to be all-timers since they are so hard to grow for a lot of folks. People were trying to get $500 Efflo more than people scramble to get the photoshopped-tenius-of-the-day today. They faded, but the people who can grow them still love them.

 

[fabutahoun]

My top 10

strawberry shortcake
pink lemonade
purple monster
red planet
Blue matrix
efflo
Ice Fire Echinata
Green Slimer
Oregon Tort
Bonsai

 

[DanConnor]

Threads like this would be more useful if people would only suggest corals they have actually seen a colony of with their own eyes.

 

[greg1786]

Loving all the replies guys! Thanks for so much participation. I know this can be an endless convo and will be very difficult to narrow down to exactly 10. I think what ill do, if the conversation continues to gain steam, is begin writing down everyones suggestions and keep a tally of how many times specific corals are mentioned. That way we can give the corals that seem to fall under a consensus by the group their due. Green slimer, garf bonsai, and pink lemonade are great calls, not that the others aren't, but these 3 seem atm to be getting the biggest nod along with OT and PM. I do like that someone mentioned the red dragon though I wonder if it has the weight the other do. I remember how strong it came onto the scene and how EVERYONE had to have that 1/2" 100 dollar frag 6 years ago. Although it was a huge deal for a couple years I feel it may have fizzled out too quickly to be top 10 all time. Please please please offer your opinion if you disagree!

I know its far to early but simply for arguments sake and as a conversation booster ill compile a quick "starter" list based on what the 8 commenters have so far mentioned in no particular order
1) garf bonsai
2) purple monster
3) pink lemonade
4) Oregon tort
5) red planet
6)green slimer
7)strawberry shortcake
8) fox flame
9)ORA Pearlberry
10)red dragon

Again this is by no means THE list, simply a beginning to a hopefully long and thoughtful conversation that will inevitably change it drastically by the end!!

 

[jda]

Make #10, the legit, OG, CITR Red Dragon. There are a lot of AQ knockoffs that do not get as red and do not have the same glowing tips... some people soured on "red dragon" because of this, but the CITR one is still awesome looking.

You could have a good tank with these ten. I would personally switch out the Green Slimer for a Lime in the Sky - it is similar but gets a blue body and tips, but this is just a nit.

 

[markalot]

I agree with THE list above, or NOT THE list. None of the newer high end fancy named corals would be on it with the possible exception of the Orange Passion. I've seen a few large colonies now and it seems to grow well in captivity and survive accidents that can kill wimpier acros, plus it looks good under whiter lighting.

 

[greg1786]

I actually did consider the orange passion while thinking out my original post. The orange passion, color wise, is one of my favorite pieces of all time. There are very few orange acros, very few with that aqua blue-green color and those two colors combined just make it an absolute ome of a kind beauty in my eyes. All that said, I think its lack of longevity puts it somewhere slightly outside the top ten. Though it is simply my opinion and I would have no problem if it got enough votes to deserve it a spot in the group! Also thanks for pointing out the CITR Red Dragon fact @jda I agree completely and will update accordingly. Alright guys come on I know there are a ton of old school stick guys and girls out there who can contribute a great amount of worth to this thread!
1) garf bonsai
2) purple monster
3) pink lemonade
4) Oregon tort
5) red planet
6)green slimer
7)strawberry shortcake
8) fox flame
9)ORA Pearlberry
10) CITR Red Dragon

 

[fabutahoun]

Some Macros of my Corals
Red Planet

My SSC

green slimer

Ice Fire

 

[jackson6745]

1) Tyree Purple Monster
2) Tyree Oregon Tort
3) ORA pearlberry
4) Shortcake (no specific lineage)
5) Pro Corals Rainbow
6) Vivid Rainbow
7) Aqua SD milli
8) Red Planet
9) Pink Lemonade
10) Fox flame

With that said, I'm more excited with the newer acros in my tank that don't have a proven success lineage. All the multi color tenuis, red/yellow acros, all the overly photoshopped ones that we hope can look like the digital filter

BTW I lost my Tyree PM. If Anyone had a legit frag please LMK. I will buy ASAP.

 

[RussiReef]

I would added old school corals Miyagi tort and sapphire mili

 

[emvanburen]

Good list!

 

[Danny McElroy]

Man this list is only missing the Paletta Pink Tip.... love that macro!! Grows well and looks great under all lighting!!!

 

[charliethetuna]

Hawkins
Garf bonsi
Slimer
Red dragon
Oregon tort
Cali tort
Strawberry shortcake
Pink lemonade
PC rainbow
Milka stylo

 

[etcee]

Pink lemonade. Did I mention pink lemonade?

 

[Perry]

1) Tyree Purple Monster
2) Tyree Oregon Tort
3) ORA pearlberry
4) Shortcake (no specific lineage)
5) Pro Corals Rainbow
6) Vivid Rainbow
7) Aqua SD milli
8) Red Planet
9) Pink Lemonade
10) Fox flame

With that said, I'm more excited with the newer acros in my tank that don't have a proven success lineage. All the multi color tenuis, red/yellow acros, all the overly photoshopped ones that we hope can look like the digital filter

BTW I lost my Tyree PM. If Anyone had a legit frag please LMK. I will buy ASAP.

Richard?
As in Jackson from RC back in the day?
You back?
Jackson Rainbow Tenuis?