X-Mas Acan Lord

Description

• Scientific Name: Micromussa lordhowensis

• Common Names: Acan Lord, Acan Coral

• Family: Lobophylliidae

• Origin: Indo-Pacific region, notably the Great Barrier Reef and Lord Howe Island

• Color: Bright, often iridescent combinations of red, green, blue, orange, purple, and more—especially in aquacultured varieties

• Structure: Fleshy polyps on a stony skeleton; colonies form a dome or mound shape

• Growth: Moderate, with new polyps forming over time under ideal conditions

Care Requirements

Lighting

• Moderate to Low PAR (50–150)

• Acans do well under T5s, LEDs, or Metal Halides, but avoid high-intensity light as it may cause bleaching.

• Acclimate slowly if moving from lower to higher light areas.

Water Flow

• Low to Moderate flow

• Gentle, indirect current is best—strong flow may damage the fleshy polyps.

Feeding

• While Acans are photosynthetic (thanks to their symbiotic zooxanthellae), they benefit greatly from target feeding.

• Feed 2–3 times per week with:

  • Mysis shrimp

  • Brine shrimp

  • Reef roids or coral-specific foods

• Use a turkey baster or pipette to gently feed at night or when polyps are extended.

Placement

• Place on the sand bed or lower third of the tank.

• Give room between other corals—Acans have sweeper tentacles and can sting neighbors.

Maintenance

• Regular water changes and stable parameters are key.

• Monitor for pests like flatworms or nudibranchs.

• Dip new corals before introducing them.

Extra Tips

• Acans can be propagated via fragging—use a coral saw or Dremel and cut between polyp heads.

• Coloration is best preserved under stable parameters and moderate lighting.

• Some hobbyists report better color and polyp extension when nitrates and phosphates are not ultra-low (i.e., not 0).