Amakusa acan (Micromussa amakusensis) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Acanthastrea amakusensis, Acan
Family
Lobophylliidae
Origin
Western Pacific, especially southern Japan, Taiwan and the South China Sea
Water
saltwater
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12
Care level
intermediate
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Low to moderate
Flow
Low to medium

Care

A colonial large-polyp stony coral with fleshy, rounded polyps, closely related to the popular Micromussa lordhowensis ("acan lord"). Colour forms are often bold mixes of red, green, orange, blue or grey. Naming: it was formerly placed in Acanthastrea and is still often sold as an "acan". Placement: bottom of the tank, on the sand bed or low rockwork. Light and flow: low to moderate light and low to medium flow so that the polyps can extend and feed. Water: Keep calcium around 400–450 ppm, alkalinity at dKH 8–12 and magnesium around 1250–1350 ppm, and keep them steady; regular dosing of calcium, alkalinity and trace elements (or a calcium reactor in a busy reef) is needed as the coral grows. Growth: moderate; LiveAquaria describes its close relative as hardy and fairly quick-growing, especially when fed. LiveAquaria does not list this species; the care figures are from its Micromussa lordhowensis page, a close relative. Selling: this is a CITES Appendix II coral. Frags grown in the UK can be sold freely; wild-collected or imported pieces must have been legally imported with CITES paperwork. Sources: LiveAquaria (liveaquaria.com/products/lordhowensis-coral-tri-color). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic but benefits a lot from feeding. Target-feed minced mysis, enriched brine shrimp or other meaty foods in the evening, when the feeding tentacles come out.

Breeding

Frag by cutting between polyps with a coral saw, keeping whole polyps on each piece, then glue to plugs. Feeding helps cut pieces recover.

Compatibility and tank mates

Semi-aggressive: at night it can push out digestive filaments that damage neighbours, so keep it several centimetres (about 10 cm) from other stony corals.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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