Acan Echinata Fragment
Add bold colour and distinctive texture to your reef aquarium with an Acan Echinata Fragment. This attractive large-polyp stony coral is known for its fleshy, textured polyps and highly variable combinations of green, red, orange and purple.
Acan Echinata grows by slowly encrusting across nearby rockwork, making it an excellent choice for adding colour and visual interest to the lower areas of a reef aquarium. Each fragment is naturally unique, so colouration and pattern may vary from the representative image.
Why Choose an Acan Echinata?
- Bold and highly variable colouration
- Thick, fleshy polyps with a distinctive texture
- Encrusting growth habit
- Strong feeding response
- Suitable for the lower areas of a reef aquarium
- Relatively hardy when kept under stable conditions
- Excellent feature coral for an established reef tank
Lighting and Placement
Acan Echinata generally performs best under low to moderate lighting, with a target PAR range of approximately 75–150.
Place the fragment on the sandbed or lower rockwork when first introducing it to the aquarium. Avoid immediately exposing it to intense reef lighting, as excessive light may cause stress or bleaching.
Water Flow
Provide low to moderate water movement. The flow should be strong enough to prevent debris from settling on the coral without constantly forcing its fleshy polyps against the skeleton.
Feeding
Although Acan Echinata receives much of its energy through photosynthesis, regular feeding can support stronger growth, fuller polyp extension and richer colouration.
Target feed approximately once per week with small portions of suitable coral food, such as:
- Finely chopped marine foods
- Mysis shrimp
- Small coral pellets
- Powdered or suspended LPS coral foods
Avoid overfeeding, as uneaten food can reduce water quality.
Coral Compatibility
Acan Echinata can be aggressive towards neighbouring corals and may extend sweeper tentacles after the aquarium lights turn off. Leave several centimetres of clear space around the fragment and avoid placing it directly beside less aggressive corals.
Recommended Water Parameters
Care Level: Moderate
Coral Type: LPS coral
Temperament: Aggressive
Lighting: Low to moderate
Recommended PAR: 75–150
Water Flow: Low to moderate
Placement: Sandbed or lower rockwork
Feeding: Weekly target feeding recommended
Calcium: 420–440ppm
Alkalinity: 8–9dKH
Magnesium: 1300–1400ppm
Stable salinity, temperature and nutrient levels are more important than constantly adjusting the aquarium to chase exact numbers.
The Acan Echinata Fragment is an excellent option for reef keepers wanting an LPS coral with unusual texture, strong colour and rewarding feeding behaviour.
