How did the acanthastrea go long term?

Mark Novack · Jun 8, 2022

Before Euphylia came into popularity, I remember it was the Acan rush. They quickly went from 80 dollars for a nice specimen to 80 dollars for a polyp or two. I had many beauties but they were not aggressive growers and eventually withered away.

Now there is a surplus of technicolor acans at democratic pricing. Are they worth installing into a well growing aquarium or are they too finicky? Experiences? Will they cover a plate rock and grow with the acropora or just stagnate and look pretty?

Thanks,
Mark

damsels are not mean · Jun 8, 2022

I'd give it a shot. I had one that grew a lot before a tank crash. Wasn't a "designer" one. I got a frag as a freebie recently and it died but it was actually growing before I dropped another coral on top and it got stung to death. I didn't really have a great place for it anyways. They seem pretty hardy these days though.

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Jun 8, 2022

Love em. Great brain corals. Don't get a filefish or butterflyfish or angelfish and your good. Lol.
I was their with you when the colony cost what the frags do now. Lol
It is what it is.
D

Nano sapiens · Jun 8, 2022

Mark Novack said:
Before Euphylia came into popularity, I remember it was the Acan rush. They quickly went from 80 dollars for a nice specimen to 80 dollars for a polyp or two. I had many beauties but they were not aggressive growers and eventually withered away.

Now there is a surplus of technicolor acans at democratic pricing. Are they worth installing into a well growing aquarium or are they too finicky? Experiences? Will they cover a plate rock and grow with the acropora or just stagnate and look pretty?

Thanks,
Mark

I have a rock wall of these guys that started from single/dual polyps, so yes they can do well in a mature reef aquarium with a few caveats.

IME, if placed in suitable medium light/medium flow the most important factor is feeding. 1x/wk to maintain original size/very slow growth, 2x/wk for medium growth, 3x/wk or more for faster growth. They also really don't like being irritated by other organisms, so keep them away from stinging corals and pests (aiptasia, hydroids, etc.).