More info
Micromussa lordhowensis was formerly known as Acanthastrea lordhowensis and shares the same care requirements as most Acanthastrea.
There must be space between these corals and their neighbors as they have a powerful bite.
Llocation
Micromussa are found throughout the Indo-Pacific. They are found throughout the Indo-Pacific islands, including Fiji, Tonga, the Solomon Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. Almost all of the Micromussa we have here at Tidal Gardens are from Indonesia or Australia.
Lighting
Micromussa are very sensitive to light. So far we have been successful in growing them under a variety of lighting conditions, however it is clear that any change in light results in dramatic color differences in the corals themselves. Many corals adapt their color to the given lighting conditions, however, the extent to which Micromussa can change sets it apart. It is possible for them to turn from red to yellow in less than 24 hours.
Faint light |
Low Light 30 and 50 PARs per unit area |
Average light |
Average light is between 50 - 150 PARs per unit area |
|
Heavy light |
Intense light is above 150 PAR per unit area |
We recommend lower lighting in the beginning, normally medium lighting is recommended in the long term.
Water flow
As for flow and placement, there are a few things I look for. Micromussa doesn't require a ton of flux, so I try to provide just enough so that debris doesn't build up in them. Most of the time hobbyists place the Micros at the bottom of the tank, so it's important that they get enough flow to keep them clean. On the other hand, I think feeding is important for long-term health, so ideally the flow can decrease during feeding time to allow the coral to pick up pieces from the water column.
Feeding
Micromussa can be fed a mixture of meaty foods such as pieces of krill or mysis shrimp. They are relatively small in size, so larger pieces of food are not suitable. When I look at Micromussa either lordhowensis or amakusensis, I look for very fat inflated polyps with constantly extended tentacles. We feed a mix of frozen shrimp here at Tidal Gardens. Our blend is very basic, mainly mysis shrimp and krill with a little rotifer. You can also feed a high quality dry coral kibble, but be careful not to overfeed dry food of any kind, as it is possible to burn the coral if it is fed too much at once. One particular brand I know of recommends something like a single pellet per polyp, so if you decide to go that route, less is more.
Propagation
In terms of propagation, Micromussa was successfully fragmented, but asexual reproduction in this way is a slow process. Despite their appearance, they are relatively slow growing. This is a shame because they are a very rarely imported coral and are not seen for sale very often. Propagation efforts would help a lot in increasing the supply of Micromussa
