LPS
Acan
Micromussa lordhowensis (formerly Acanthastrea lordhowensis)
Also sold as Acan lord
- Type
- LPS
- Care level
- Beginner to intermediate
- Light
- 50 to 150 PAR (low)
- Flow
- Low
- With neighbours
- Spreads or stings mildly
Safety: handling acan
Fresh cuts produce lots of slime; gloves and eye protection when fragging
How do you care for acan?
Placement
Low to mid, sand or shaded ledge
Flow
Gentle for colonies; medium for fresh frags to keep cuts clean
Feeding
Target feed small meaty foods 2 to 3 times a week
Growth
Moderate; adds polyps at edges
Water quality
Stable alkalinity and calcium; Reef Builders gives 8 to 12 dKH, 400 to 450 ppm calcium
How much light does it need?
Sources put it at about 50 to 150 PAR, measured where the coral sits. Start a new coral at the low end and raise it over weeks.
Low to moderate light; start near 50 to 80 and raise slowly.
Which neighbours are safe?
Sweepers can sting neighbours typical, check
Several cm
Fish
Fish known to nip this group of corals, or small enough to be caught by it.
Take care (9)
- Lawnmower blennyLawnmower blenny may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Bicolor blennyBicolor blenny may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Tailspot blennyTailspot blenny may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Coral beautyCoral beauty may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Flame angelfishFlame angelfish may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Cherub angelfishCherub angelfish may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Foxface rabbitfishFoxface rabbitfish may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Moorish idolMoorish idol may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
- Copperband butterflyfishCopperband butterflyfish may nip LPS corals, more so when underfed.
Other corals
Corals that can harm this one if placed too close.
Take care (10)
- Hammer coralHammer coral stings neighbours up to about 15 cm away at night; keep the acan out of reach.
- Frogspawn coralFrogspawn coral stings neighbours; keep the acan out of reach.
- Torch coralTorch coral stings neighbours; keep the acan out of reach.
- GalaxeaGalaxea stings neighbours up to about 15 cm away at night; keep the acan out of reach.
- Horn coralHorn coral stings neighbours; keep the acan out of reach.
- Fire coral (not Acropora millepora)Fire coral (not Acropora millepora) stings neighbours; keep the acan out of reach.
- Bubble tip anemoneBubble tip anemone stings neighbours; keep the acan out of reach.
- Mini maxiMini maxi stings neighbours; keep the acan out of reach.
- Carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant)Carpet anemones (Haddon's, giant) stings neighbours; keep the acan out of reach.
- Ritteri anemoneRitteri anemone stings neighbours; keep the acan out of reach.
Invertebrates
Invertebrates that may nip corals when hungry.
Take care (3)
- Emerald crabSome emerald crabs nip corals when hungry.
- Peppermint shrimpSome peppermint shrimps nip corals when hungry.
- Camel shrimpSome camel shrimps nip corals when hungry.
These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.
Pests, dips and quarantine
Few specific
Iodine dip after fragging
No dip reliably kills pest eggs, so a dip lowers the risk rather than removing it. Inspect new frags with a torch after lights out, including the underside and the plug.
Sources
Last checked . How we check
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Related corals
Hammer coral
Fimbriaphyllia ancora (formerly Euphyllia ancora); branching forms include F. paraancora
- Care
- Intermediate
- Light
- Medium
- Flow
- Medium
- Neighbours
- Stings neighbours
Photo Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Frogspawn coral
Fimbriaphyllia divisa (formerly Euphyllia divisa)
- Care
- Intermediate
- Light
- Medium
- Flow
- Medium
- Neighbours
- Stings neighbours
Photo Gdiggers, CC BY-SA 3.0
Torch coral
Euphyllia glabrescens (also E. yaeyamaensis)
- Care
- Advanced
- Light
- Medium
- Flow
- Medium
- Neighbours
- Stings neighbours
Photo Josuevg, CC BY-SA 3.0
Duncan coral
Duncanopsammia axifuga
- Care
- Beginner
- Light
- Medium
- Flow
- Medium
- Neighbours
- Peaceful
Photo Kinkreet, CC BY-SA 3.0