Acropora tenuis is a small-polyp stony coral distributed across the Indo-Pacific. Compared to its workhorse cousin millepora, tenuis has finer corallites, more delicate branching, and a tendency toward multi-color polyp expression that has made it the foundation species of the most expensive coral cultivars in the hobby.
If millepora is the family sedan of Acropora, tenuis is the supercar - faster to color up, more demanding to keep, and producing the most prized named lineages: Walt Disney Tenuis, Holy Grail, Superman, Tropic Marin, Pengs Heart of the Ocean, Tyree Superman.
Tenuis demands stricter parameter stability than millepora. Alkalinity swings of even 0.5 dKH can trigger RTN. Treat tenuis as the canary in your reef: when tenuis is happy, your system is dialed.
What makes tenuis special: certain lineages express multiple distinct polyp colors across a single colony - reds, oranges, blues, greens, purples, all visible simultaneously. Walt Disney Tenuis is the signature example, with Mickey Mouse-multicolor polyps reading like a Pixar palette.
Achieving this expression requires:
Same as Acropora millepora but with higher RTN sensitivity. AEFW dipping is mandatory before introducing any tenuis to a display.
Click any cultivar to see its lineage history.
Each species has its own deep care guide with photos, parameters, diet, compatibility, breeding notes, common diseases, and a 4-question FAQ. Vendor listings live alongside the educational content.