Acanthastrea Echinata

Overview

The Acanthastrea Echinata, commonly known as Echinata, is a standout species among large polyp stony (LPS) corals. It features a dense, plating skeleton and thick, fleshy tissue adorned with high-contrast rings and mottled patterns. This coral is prized for its vivid “crushed velvet” texture and intense colors but is also recognized for its highly aggressive behavior in reef tanks.

Colorization

The Echinata displays stunning coloration primarily in rich teal and maroon hues. Its vibrant color saturation is especially strong under low to moderate lighting, giving it an eye-catching and dramatic presence in any coral collection.

Size

This coral is typically sold as a frag ranging from 0.5 to 1 inch mounted on a frag plug. Despite its relatively small size, its aggressive growth and reach require careful placement in your reef.

Lighting

It thrives under low to moderate lighting conditions, ideally between 80 to 150 PAR. Lower light intensities help maintain its richer, saturated colors and prevent bleaching.

Water Flow

The Acanthastrea Echinata prefers a gentle current with low to medium water flow. This ensures the fleshy mantle remains fully expanded without being disturbed by strong water movement.

Feeding

This coral exhibits a very high feeding response and enthusiastically consumes mysis shrimp, krill, and LPS pellets. Regular feeding significantly accelerates its otherwise slow growth rate.

Aggressiveness

Acanthastrea Echinata is extremely aggressive and territorial. It can reach out with its stinging filaments to harm nearby corals and should be given a wide space of at least 4 inches from other coral neighbors to avoid damage.

Care Level

Despite its aggressive nature, it is considered easy to care for. It is hardy and tolerates a range of water conditions well, provided that alkalinity levels remain stable.