Asian Acan Colony

HGC Asian Acan Colony  (Micromussa Lordhowensis).

Asian Acan” is a common name used in the reef aquarium hobby for colorful corals in the genus Acanthastrea (now often reclassified under Micromussa, especially Micromussa lordhowensis). These corals are popular for their bright colors and relatively easy care.

 Basic Description

• Origin: Usually collected from reefs in Indonesia, Australia, and other parts of the Indo-Pacific region. In the hobby, “Asian acans” typically refers to specimens from Indonesia.

• Type: Large Polyp Stony (LPS) coral.

• Growth Form: Forms fleshy polyps on a calcium skeleton that grow in clusters or colonies.

• Polyp Size: Medium to large, round, and puffy when fully expanded.

 Appearance

Asian acans are famous for their vibrant patterns:

• Red, orange, green, blue, purple, and yellow combinations

• Stripes, rings, or mottled patterns around the mouth

• Thick, fleshy tissue that inflates during the day

 Aquarium Care

Difficulty: Easy to moderate (good for many reef tanks).

Lighting:

• Low to moderate light (PAR ~50–150)

Flow:

• Low to moderate water flow

Feeding:

• Can photosynthesize via symbiotic algae

• Benefits from occasional feeding of:

  • mysis shrimp

  • reef roids

  • small meaty foods

 Growth & Behavior

• Grows by forming new heads around the colony.

• Can extend sweeper tentacles at night, so give nearby corals space.

• Generally peaceful compared to many LPS corals.

 Why Reef Keepers Like Them

• Extremely colorful

• Hardy compared to many LPS

• Easy to frag and propagate

• Inflated “puffy” look adds texture to reef tanks