TankBud

Acan coral

Acanthastrea echinata

Also known as Acan Echinata, Starry Cup Coral, Acan Brain Coral

SaltwaterCoral

Acan coral (Acanthastrea echinata)
Philippe Bourjon · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–81°F
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
7.9 in
20 cm
Minimum tank
11 gal
40 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Solitary
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Photosynthetic
Difficulty
Medium
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Lobophylliidae
Origin
Indo-Pacific, from Indonesia and Australia to Tonga

Overview

The Acan coral is a large polyp stony coral that sits low on the rockwork of a reef tank. It is a step up from the easiest corals.

Did you know

Acan colonies are prized for showing many different colors and patterns on the same mat. Neighboring polyps can vary widely, even though they share one skeleton. That is why a single large colony is sometimes cut into dozens of individually named frags.

Caring for the Acan coral

Keep the Acan coral under low to moderate light, roughly 50 to 150 PAR, with low to moderate indirect flow. Strong light or flow can bleach or tear the fleshy polyps. Place it low to mid on shaded rockwork, and move it higher only after it settles in.

It needs at least 11 gal (40 L), at 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Acans are more prone than most LPS to brown jelly infection when stressed by rough handling, poor acclimation or a light shock. Acclimate new pieces slowly under lower light, and raise the light gradually.

It is photosynthetic, but it is also a strong nighttime feeder. Target feed minced meaty foods or zooplankton once or twice a week to improve its color and growth.

The Acan coral is mostly peaceful, but at night it extends mesenterial filaments that capture prey and digest anything within reach. That includes the tissue of any coral placed too close, so leave at least 4 to 6 inches of open water around it. It frags easily, polyp by polyp along the mat, which makes it one of the more commonly propagated collector LPS.

Good to know

Acanthastrea echinata belongs to the family Lobophylliidae. It is now considered the only widely kept true Acanthastrea in the hobby. The acan lord once shared its genus but was reclassified as Micromussa lordhowensis in a 2012 revision of the group. Acanthastrea echinata forms a mat of fleshy, rounded polyps over a shared skeleton. Its genus name comes from Greek for thorn and star, describing the spiny septa inside each corallite.

In the wild

The Acan coral forms encrusting colonies in shallow, protected lagoons and reef flats across the Indo-Pacific. Its range runs from Indonesia and Australia to Tonga, usually to about 20 meters deep.

Common questions

What size tank does an Acan coral need?

An Acan coral needs at least 11 gal (40 L).

What temperature and pH does an Acan coral need?

An Acan coral is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does an Acan coral eat?

An Acan coral is photosynthetic, but it is also a strong nighttime feeder. Target feed it minced meaty foods or zooplankton once or twice a week.

How big does an Acan coral get?

An adult Acan coral reaches about 7.9 in (20 cm).

Related species