Ultra Acanthastrea Echinata

Wysiwyg

Care Level: Cycled Tank
Main Diet: Carnivore, Photosynthetic
Lighting: Low, Medium
Flow: Low, Medium
Compatibility: With Caution, Aggressive
Common Placement: Bottom, Middle
Suggested Tank Size: Nano+

Acanthastrea corals, commonly known as acan coral or acan lords, are large polyp stony (LPS) corals and one of the most beautifully colored coral species. They come in purple, red, green, blue, orange, brown, rust, pale tan, and pale grey. The family includes many species with different names. And many tout them as one of the easiest LPS corals to grow. Put the two together, and you have the perfect LPS coral – with a few little quirks to manage.

• Common Names: Acans, Acan lords, Micros, Micro lords, Micromussa
• Scientific name: There are several species, and all of them are considered (or once were) considered to be acans: Acanthastrea echinata, Acanthastrea lordhowensis (now Micromussa lordhowensis)

Acan corals are found in the south Pacific, particularly around the Philippines and Hong Kong, in waters down to 30m. Ironically, that seems to be the same depth many waterproof watches are good to. So if you are underwater and still know what time it is, you might see an acan coral. In the ocean, acan coral feed mostly at night. However, they acclimate to diurnal schedules in the aquarium and will happily eat when you feed them.