Bowerbank's acan (Homophyllia bowerbanki) care guide

Group
Corals
Other names
Acanthastrea bowerbanki, Bowerbank's scoly
Family
Lobophylliidae (formerly Mussidae)
Origin
Western Pacific, mainly Australian reefs
Water
saltwater
Temperature
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12
Care level
beginner
Reef safe
yes
Lighting
Moderate (LiveAquaria, for Homophyllia)
Flow
Moderate

Care

Homophyllia bowerbanki is a fleshy LPS coral that forms colonies of large, rounded polyps, in many colour mixes of red, green, orange and purple. It was formerly called Acanthastrea bowerbanki and was moved to Homophyllia in 2016 along with other acan-like corals; it is colonial and not a true scoly, although Australian scolys (Homophyllia australis) are in the same genus. Neither LiveAquaria nor Top Shelf Aquatics has a page for this species; the figures come from LiveAquaria's Australian Scolymia (Homophyllia australis) page and are general guidance for the genus. Place it low in the tank or on the sand bed with moderate light and medium flow. Water: LiveAquaria gives dKH 8–12, pH 8.1–8.4 and 22–26 °C for Homophyllia, with calcium, magnesium, strontium and trace elements. Growth is slow. 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/australian-scolymia-coral-neon-green). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Photosynthetic, but it benefits from feeding. LiveAquaria says Homophyllia extends feeding tentacles in the evening and takes meaty foods such as micro-plankton or brine shrimp; mysis or chopped seafood once or twice a week suits it.

Breeding

As a colonial coral it can be fragged by cutting between polyps with a saw so each piece keeps whole polyps; let the cut surfaces heal in good water. Growth is slow, so frags are pricey.

Compatibility and tank mates

LiveAquaria calls Homophyllia semi-aggressive but not outwardly aggressive; it expands a lot and can sting at night, so leave 5–10 cm around it.

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

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