Acan Coral

Acanthastrea / Micromussa lordhowensis

Care Level	Easy to moderate — great beginner LPS
Lighting	Low to moderate
Water Flow	Low to moderate
Placement	Low rock or sand
Aggression	Semi-aggressive (short sweepers)
Coloration	Every color — rainbow, red, green, orange morphs

Overview

Acan corals (Acanthastrea, now often Micromussa lordhowensis) are among the most popular LPS in the hobby, forming colonies of fleshy, jewel-like polyps in an incredible range of colors. Hardy and fast-growing, they are a favorite of both beginners and collectors. They come in countless named morphs — “Rainbow,” “Bowser,” “Rainbow Delight” and many more — but all Acans share the same care.

Care & Placement

Give low-to-moderate light and gentle flow; too much of either keeps the fleshy polyps from inflating. Place low in the tank on rock or sand, with a little space from neighbors. Under actinic/blue light their colors fluoresce beautifully.

Feeding

Photosynthetic and a hearty feeder — Acans respond dramatically to feeding. Spot-feed small meaty foods (mysis, coral foods, chopped seafood) once or twice a week, especially in the evening when the feeder tentacles emerge, to speed growth and boost color.

Propagation

Very easy to frag — cut between polyps with a bone cutter or band saw; each polyp with a bit of skeleton grows into a new colony.

Cautions

Extends short sweeper tentacles at night that can sting close neighbors — leave a little space. Otherwise hardy and forgiving. Keep flow gentle so polyps inflate fully.