TIA Salix: The Willow-Polyp Millepora Acropora
The TIA Salix (Acropora millepora) mother colony — the coral your frag is cut from — under Actinic Radion Mobius lighting. Colors shift under different lighting; each piece is cut to order.
What is TIA Salix?
TIA Salix is an Acropora millepora that lives up to its name. When fully extended, its long flowing polyps give the coral the appearance of a dense willow tree swaying in the current. Among the milleporas TIA has seen, this piece stands out for having some of the longest polyp extension encountered.
The story
Salix truly lives up to its name. When fully extended, the long flowing polyps give the coral the appearance of a dense willow tree swaying in the current. Among all the milleporas TIA has seen, this piece stands out for having some of the longest polyp extension encountered. The branches become surrounded by a soft curtain of movement, creating a lush and lively texture that makes this coral particularly mesmerizing in a reef tank. It was grown in TIA's legacy display tank and hand-fragged for limited release.
Care requirements
| Parameter | Target |
|---|---|
| Lighting (PAR) | Moderate to High, 250–400. Strong blue-spectrum reef lighting helps maintain the vibrant coloration typical of Millepora Acropora |
| Flow | Moderate to Strong, turbulent flow. High flow encourages the long polyps to fully extend and display their signature movement |
| Placement | Upper half of a mature reef aquarium |
| Temperature | 76–79°F |
| Salinity | 1.025–1.026 |
| Alkalinity | 8–9 dKH |
| Calcium | 400–450 ppm |
| Magnesium | 1300–1400 ppm |
Reef safe. Recommended for aquarists experienced with SPS husbandry.
Buying a Salix frag
Every piece is cut to order from the mother colony. After we cut your frag, we send you a video of it, and we recommend allowing about 14 days of heal time before expecting full recovery. Every order is covered by TIA's 3-day live-arrival guarantee, and TIA has grown and named collector corals since 2008.
→ See the current Salix release Related in the TIA Acropora collection: All TIA Signature Acropora →
Frequently asked questions
Why is TIA Salix named after the willow? When fully extended, its long flowing polyps give the coral the appearance of a dense willow tree swaying in the current. The branches become surrounded by a soft curtain of movement, creating a lush and lively texture that makes this coral particularly mesmerizing in a reef tank.
How long is the polyp extension? Among all the milleporas TIA has seen, this piece stands out for having some of the longest polyp extension encountered. High, turbulent flow encourages the long polyps to fully extend and display their signature movement.
What lighting and flow does it want? Moderate to High PAR, 250–400, with strong blue-spectrum reef lighting to maintain the vibrant coloration typical of Millepora Acropora. Give it moderate to strong turbulent flow and place it in the upper half of a mature reef aquarium.
What water parameters keep it healthy? Temperature 76–79°F, salinity 1.025–1.026, alkalinity 8–9 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, and magnesium 1300–1400 ppm. It is reef safe and recommended for aquarists experienced with SPS husbandry.