TIA Show Maker Speciosa: An Encrusted-Base Acropora for Serious SPS Collectors
The TIA Show Maker Speciosa Acropora 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 Show Maker Speciosa?
TIA Show Maker Speciosa is an Acropora speciosa — one of the more demanding SPS species in reef keeping. Speciosa is known for being sensitive and slow to stabilize, which makes well-established pieces valuable. This colony fully encrusted its base in TIA's system before release, a sign it has adapted, settled, and begun long-term growth.
The story
Speciosa is well known among experienced aquarists for being sensitive and slow to stabilize, which is exactly what makes well-established pieces particularly valuable. This colony already fully encrusted its base in TIA's system before release. For serious SPS collectors, the condition of the base is just as important as the coloration — a healthy encrusted base reflects the coral's history in captivity and the maturity of its aquaculture process. It shows the coral has successfully adapted, settled, and begun long-term growth. For anyone selecting a Speciosa, the advice is to look beyond the tips and colors: the base tells the real story.
Care requirements
TIA Show Maker Speciosa is a demanding SPS Acropora, recommended for experienced reef aquarists familiar with SPS husbandry. | Parameter | Target | |---|---| | Lighting (PAR) | Moderate to High, PAR 250–400; strong blue-spectrum reef lighting develops best coloration with stable parameters | | Flow | Moderate to Strong, turbulent; consistent randomized flow maintains tissue health and stable SPS growth | | Placement | Upper half of a mature reef aquarium with strong lighting and stable water chemistry | | Temperature | 76–79°F | | Salinity | 1.025–1.026 | | Alkalinity | 8–9 dKH | | Calcium | 400–450 ppm | | Magnesium | 1300–1400 ppm |
Reef safe.
Buying a Show Maker Speciosa 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 Show Maker Speciosa release Related in the TIA Acropora collection: All TIA Signature Acropora →
Frequently asked questions
What makes TIA Show Maker Speciosa special? Speciosa is one of the more demanding SPS species — sensitive and slow to stabilize — so well-established pieces are particularly valuable. This colony fully encrusted its base in TIA's system before release, which shows it has adapted, settled, and begun long-term growth. With speciosa, the base tells the real story, not just the tips and colors.
Why does the encrusted base matter? For serious SPS collectors, the condition of the base is just as important as the coloration. A healthy encrusted base reflects the coral's history in captivity and the maturity of its aquaculture process — evidence the coral has successfully adapted and started long-term growth.
How much light does it need? Moderate to high, PAR 250–400. Speciosa tends to develop its best coloration under strong blue-spectrum reef lighting with stable parameters.
Is it beginner-friendly? No. It is a demanding SPS recommended for experienced reef aquarists familiar with SPS husbandry. Target 76–79°F, salinity 1.025–1.026, alkalinity 8–9 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, and magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, with moderate-to-strong turbulent flow.