Source: Wikimedia Commons
Hemprich's Acan Coral
IntermediateAcanthastrea hemprichii
An encrusting to massive acan coral mottled with brown walls and green oral discs. Its corallites share walls and pack together as polygons, unlike the more widely spaced, fleshier corallites of Acanthastrea echinata.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Temperature
24〜27℃
Lifespan
Little data available
Size
Wild colonies frequently exceed 1 m across (Corals of the World)
Diet
Photosynthesis (zooxanthellae) plus feeding
About
Acanthastrea hemprichii is a stony coral of the family Lobophylliidae found on reefs from the Red Sea across the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific, including Japan and Australia. Wild colonies are encrusting to massive and frequently exceed one metre across. The corallites share walls and pack together as polygons, with exsert septal teeth. Fleshy tissue covers the skeleton but is seldom thick enough to hide the corallites, and colonies are commonly mottled with brown walls and green oral discs (Corals of the World). The related A. echinata has rounder, more widely spaced corallites with thicker tissue. The coral sold as 'Acan lord' is Micromussa lordhowensis, a different genus. This zooxanthellate LPS coral also catches food with its tentacles. Few reports of long-term aquarium keeping exist for this species (Reeflex). In Japan it is offered by name from time to time by large online retailers.
Size of the Hemprich's Acan Coral
The Hemprich's Acan Coral grows to Wild colonies frequently exceed 1 m across (Corals of the World).
Temperature & humidity for the Hemprich's Acan Coral
The ideal temperature for the Hemprich's Acan Coral is 24〜27℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Indo-West Pacific reefs (Red Sea to Japan and Australia)
Lifespan
Little data available
Size
Wild colonies frequently exceed 1 m across (Corals of the World)
Temperature
24〜27℃
Care Specifications
- Water Temp.
- 24–27℃
- Specific Gravity
- 1.023–1.025
- Salinity
- 33–35 ppt
LPS
Sources: Corals of the World (Acanthastrea hemprichii) / Reeflex (Acanthastrea hemprichii) / AlgaeBarn: A quick guide to LPS and SPS / AlgaeBarn: Water Parameters 101
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Primary sources
- Species+ (CITES listing of Acanthastrea hemprichii)
- Okinawa Prefecture: Collection of reef-building corals is prohibited
- Tokyo Metropolitan Fisheries Adjustment Regulations (Arts. 37 and 41)
- e-Gov: Natural Parks Act (Art. 22, marine park zones)
- Corals of the World (Acanthastrea hemprichii)
- Reeflex (Acanthastrea hemprichii)
- AlgaeBarn: A quick guide to LPS and SPS
- AlgaeBarn: Water Parameters 101
Taxonomy & Authority
Accepted name: Acanthastrea hemprichii (Ehrenberg, 1834)
Synonyms: Astraea hemprichii Ehrenberg, 1834, Astraea (Fissicella) hemprichii Ehrenberg, 1834
Authority databases: WoRMS · GBIF · GBIF · WoRMS · Corals of the World
Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.
Regulations & Conservation Status
CITES Appendix IIIUCN LC · Least Concern
Domestic law: Collecting in Japanese waters is governed by each prefecture's fisheries adjustment regulations, which differ by prefecture. Okinawa bans all collection of reef-building corals, including stony corals, and also bans possessing or selling illegally collected corals (cultured corals are exempt, and the prefecture advises buyers to confirm a coral is cultured, on an artificial base or tagged). Tokyo bans collection in the waters off Ogasawara Village. In marine park zones of national and quasi-national parks, taking designated animals and plants requires a permit (Natural Parks Act, Art. 22).
All stony corals (Scleractinia) are listed in CITES Appendix II (checked on Species+). International trade requires export permits, but no registration is needed to sell or transfer specimens within Japan.
Sources: Species+ (CITES listing of Acanthastrea hemprichii) / Okinawa Prefecture: Collection of reef-building corals is prohibited / Tokyo Metropolitan Fisheries Adjustment Regulations (Arts. 37 and 41) / e-Gov: Natural Parks Act (Art. 22, marine park zones)
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Hemprich's Acan Coral Listings
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