Acan Brain Coral
Acanthastrea echinata
Featured guide
This will pull the most popular / featured article tagged to this species.
Water parameters
Water parameters are being added.
About Acan Brain Coral
General information
In the wild, Acan Echinata comes in two forms: either encrusting or massive. Their colonies may reach over a meter in length. They have circular corallites with thick walls and septa that have long and pointed teeth. Their skeleton is covered with a dense, fleshy tissue that usually forms a concentric fold.
The color of Acan Echinata is typically mottled dull brown to gray or green. However, they can be brightly colored which can be influenced by environmental factors especially in waters with high nutrient level. This is best exhibited in captive breeding where growers have produced a lavender and bright green variety. One of the popular breeding varieties is the Orange Crush Acan Echinata, Rainbow Acan Echinata, and Lavender Green Acan Echinata.
You also have to look out for other factors and must stay within the range:
- Calcium: 400 – 450 ppm
- Alkalinity: 3.2 – 4.8 MEQ/L
- Phosphates: 0
- Magnesium: 1200 – 1350
- Strontium: 8 – 10
- Temperature: 76° – 83° F (24° – 28° C)
- Salinity / Specific Gravity: 1.023 – 1.025
Diet & nutrition
In the wild, Acan Brain Coral has developed a symbiotic feeding relationship with marine algae called zooxanthellae. But in captivity, you have to feed them with nanoplankton or dissolved organics.
Determining sex
A mature tank is highly recommended in propagating Acan Brain Coral. Thriving them with fish is recommended as fish excretes nitrogen that can sustain the coral's growth.
Breeding & spawning
Acan Brain Coral does not need a high flow rate and intense light. Giving them moderate lighting allows the Acan Echinata to spread their polyps thereby allowing them to feed. Too much light will cause the polyps to be retracted.
Origination
Acan Brain Coral can be found throughout the Indo-Pacific region. They are widely distributed from East Africa (the Red Sea to Polynesia), Japan, Marshall Islands, and the Great Barrier Reef and Solitary Islands of Australia.
Cautions
Except for their own kind, Acan Brain Coral is aggressive towards other species. During the night, they extend their tentacles and sting nearby corals. It is recommended to observe proper spacing between corals. Further, they have the tendency to be overpowered with soft corals and will die especially if soft corals outnumber them.
Acclimation process
Acan Brain Coral is purely marine. So, therefore, salinity must be maintained thoroughly at 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity.
Related articles
These will pull posts tagged to this species (not tied to the species record).
All photos
No photos yet.