Acanthastrea

Acanthastrea (often still sold as Acan Lords, though many hobbyists now distinguish them from Micromussa lordhowensis) are stunning collector LPS with large, fleshy polyps in brilliant colour combinations. Place them in the lower to mid sections of your tank under low to moderate PAR (50–100 PAR) with gentle flow. Like Micromussa, they prefer subdued conditions and can bleach under intense lighting. Position them on stable rockwork where they can grow undisturbed.

Keep water parameters stable: alkalinity 7.5–9.0 dKH, calcium 400–450 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, and temperature 25–26 °C. Acanthastrea are enthusiastic feeders — target feed with mysis, brine shrimp, or LPS pellets once or twice weekly for best results. The polyps swell dramatically when feeding, and regular nutrition noticeably improves growth rate and colour intensity. Night-time feeding is most effective as the feeding tentacles are fully extended.

Acanthastrea have short sweeper tentacles and can sting close neighbours, so leave a few centimetres of clearance. Fragging is possible by cutting between polyps with a band saw or Dremel. The Australian Acanthastrea market is excellent, with many beautiful colour morphs available from local coral farms and retailers. Rare varieties command premium prices, making these corals popular with both hobbyists and collectors.