{"product_id":"fire-and-ice-acan-micromussa-lordhowensis","title":"Fire and Ice Acan - Micromussa lordhowensis","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFire and Ice Acan (Micromussa lordhowensis)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Fire and Ice Acan, Micromussa lordhowensis, is a colourful large polyp stony coral, admired for its bold contrast of fiery red, orange and icy blue or pale-toned patterning. Commonly known in the hobby as an Acan Lord or Acan Coral, this coral is highly popular for its fleshy polyps, strong colour variation and attractive rounded growth pattern. It is generally hardy once settled, making it a brilliant choice for a mature reef aquarium with stable parameters, gentle flow and moderate lighting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFire and Ice Acan, Acan Coral, Acan Lord, Lord Coral, Micromussa Lord.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMicromussa lordhowensis\u003cbr\u003eHistorically and commonly traded as Acanthastrea lordhowensis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoral Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLPS Coral\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Form:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFleshy encrusting to clustered polyp growth form, with rounded individual corallites and inflated tissue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMarine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMicromussa and Acan-style corals are found in Indo-Pacific reef habitats, often growing over hard reef surfaces, rocky structures and lower reef areas where they receive indirect flow and moderate lighting. In aquariums, they are best placed where the fleshy polyps can expand without being blasted by flow or crowded by aggressive neighbouring corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTemperature: 24–26°C\u003cbr\u003epH Range: 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003eSalinity: SG 1.024–1.026\u003cbr\u003eAlkalinity: 7–10 dKH\u003cbr\u003eCalcium: 400–450 ppm\u003cbr\u003eMagnesium: 1250–1350 ppm\u003cbr\u003eNitrate: Low but detectable\u003cbr\u003ePhosphate: Low but detectable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLighting:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eMedium\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFire and Ice Acan generally does best under low to moderate reef lighting. Avoid placing it directly under very intense lighting without acclimation, as excessive light can cause colour fading, tissue stress or poor expansion. Lower-to-middle placement with gradual light acclimation is usually safest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlow:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eLow\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGentle, indirect flow is ideal. Flow should be enough to keep the coral clean and prevent detritus from settling between the polyps, but not strong enough to constantly fold, compress or retract the fleshy tissue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlacement:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBest placed on stable lower rockwork or a secure lower-to-middle area of the aquarium. Avoid sharp rock contact against the fleshy tissue and allow space around the coral so the polyps can inflate fully without being stung or shaded by neighbouring corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament \/ Aggression:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSemi-aggressive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFire and Ice Acan should be given space from other corals. While not usually one of the most aggressive LPS corals, it can still irritate or sting nearby corals through direct contact or feeding response. Keep away from aggressive LPS corals with long sweeper tentacles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003ePhotosynthetic, but benefits from feeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis coral receives much of its energy from lighting through its symbiotic zooxanthellae, but it can benefit from occasional target feeding. Suitable foods include mysis shrimp, finely chopped meaty marine foods, LPS pellets, reef roids-style foods and specialist coral feeds. Feed when the polyps are open and feeding tentacles are visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eSlow to moderate\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGrowth is usually steady in stable reef systems with consistent alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, lighting and flow. Regular feeding can support fuller tissue, improved colour and stronger growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBest kept in a mature, stable reef aquarium with gentle flow, moderate lighting and consistent water chemistry. Avoid sudden swings in alkalinity, salinity or lighting intensity. The fleshy tissue can be damaged by rough handling, sharp rockwork or excessive direct flow. Dip and acclimate carefully before adding to the aquarium, and monitor for tissue recession, pest irritation or competition from neighbouring corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeginner to Intermediate reefkeepers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRegularly available in the coral trade \/ Availability can vary depending on colour intensity, pattern, supplier naming and season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the coral you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns, colours and growth form will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Frag","offer_id":46747312947373,"sku":"AG-103974","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Colony","offer_id":46747312980141,"sku":"AG-103975","price":160.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/FireandIceAcan-Frag_Micromussalordhowensis.jpg?v=1783085202","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/fire-and-ice-acan-micromussa-lordhowensis","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}