Echinata coral
Acanthastrea echinata
Family : Lobophylliidae
Acanthastrea echinata is a hardy and colorful LPS coral, popular in reef aquariums for its large fleshy polyps and wide range of colors.
Description
This coral forms massive or encrusting colonies up to 30 cm. Polyps are large, fleshy, with prominent septa. Coloration is highly variable: green, red, orange, purple, often with contrasting patterns. It possesses sweeper tentacles that extend at night. No obvious sexual dimorphism.
Habitat
Region :
This coral is found primarily on shallow reef slopes and areas with moderate turbidity, often on hard substrates. It thrives in clear to slightly murky waters and is typically seen at depths of 1 to 30 meters.
Distribution :
Recommended parameters
Care
Care notes
A minimum tank size of 100 liters is recommended. Maintain temperature 24-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.023-1.025. Moderate lighting and medium flow are suitable. It is photosynthetic but benefits from targeted feeding (brine shrimp, mysis). Beware of sweeper tentacles: space at least 15 cm from other corals. Good water quality (nitrate <10 ppm, phosphate <0.1 ppm) is essential.
Similar species
Espèces proches, même habitat ou même maintenance
