Micromussa

Micromussa (formerly sold as Acanthastrea lordhowensis) are a collector’s dream — their bold colour patterns and relatively straightforward care make them hugely popular in the Australian reef hobby. Place them in the lower to mid sections of your tank under low to moderate PAR (50–100 PAR). They naturally occur in shaded reef environments, so too much light will cause them to bleach or lose their vivid colouration. Gentle flow is preferred; strong direct current can prevent the fleshy polyps from fully extending.

Maintain stable water parameters: alkalinity 7.5–9.0 dKH, calcium 400–440 ppm, magnesium 1300–1400 ppm, and temperature 25–26 °C. Micromussa respond enthusiastically to target feeding — offer small pieces of mysis, brine shrimp, or powdered coral food once or twice a week. You’ll see the polyps swell dramatically at night when feeding tentacles emerge, which is the ideal time to feed. Regular feeding noticeably accelerates growth and intensifies colour.

These corals have short sweeper tentacles that can sting close neighbours, so leave a few centimetres of clearance. Fragging is possible by carefully cutting between individual polyps with a diamond band saw or Dremel, though take care not to damage adjacent polyps. Dip frags after cutting and allow several weeks for recovery. Australian hobbyists benefit from excellent local availability, with many stunning colour morphs bred by domestic coral farms.