Acanthastraea questions

[Len]

Actually, might as well make it a broader question: What conditions do Acans like? It's a recent fad so I never had an acan before in my 20 years in this hobby

 

[Anonymous]

Actually, might as well make it a broader question: What conditions do Acans like? It's a recent fad so I never had an acan before in my 20 years in this hobby

RE: Acanthurus question.
They like a lot of swimming space. Lighting is irrelevant. Enough to grow algae for them to eat. Or you can feed them nori and broccoli.



It's Acanthastrea Len.

 

[Len]

Oh crud, I'm too used to fish. I once called Zoanthids Zebrasoma. Maybe I have a tang fetish.

 

[Anonymous]

Acanthurus=Spiny tail.
Acanthastraea=Spiny star.

 

[Anonymous]

Lower lighting, Len, and low to moderate flow. They really are quite bulletproof...it's only a bizarre occasion where they don't do well.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

I would say just about ANY light (maybe not under 1000w halides or anything), but they are quite nice in that they'll change to various color morphs depending upon the lighting, I have some that are the candy cane looking ones under some 14000k lighting, put a frag under 10000k halides and it turned a neat peach and red color.

 

[Anonymous]

Can you edit that thread title, Len? I'm anal-retentive-obsessive-compulsive, and it's starting to bug me.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Len]

Happy Chip?

Okay, more questions then. Since they don't really encrust. where do most people put Acanthastraea .... on rock or sand, or does it not matter?

 

[Anonymous]

Happy Chip?

Okay, more questions then. Since they don't really encrust. where do most people put Acanthastraea .... on rock or sand, or does it not matter?

Yes, I'm much happier now, Len. Thanks!

I mounted all of mine on a larger piece of dead coral, so they have room to spread. They really need to be on rock to grow more effectively.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Len]

Another Acan question. Do you feed these guys, and if so, what? Same goes for Blastos and Micromussa.

 

[Anonymous]

Another Acan question. Do you feed these guys, and if so, what? Same goes for Blastos and Micromussa.

When I feed, I feed Piscene Energetics Mysis Shrimp, and that's to everything in the tank. I've noticed that acanthastrea & micromussa, when fed, grow VERY rapidly...like near xenia-levels! Blastos are slow growers no matter if you feed or not.

Peace,

Chip

 

[Anonymous]

I'll give some info from the other coast. I feed mysis shrimp.. ummm Hikari brand, I feed that to everything. I spot feed the acans, depending how nice they are will put feeding tenticles out anytime of the day. When you feed them though they do puff like crazy, reproduce at an almost ungodly rate for LPS. Problem is I like to spot feed (one at a time) and cleaner shrimp definately are the devil!!! Pain in the ass as they know there's food there and the lazy bastards wait until I leave to hunt, and I've been thinking of making a little cage out of eggcrate, but knowing them the little bastards will find a way to get in it!