Acan Aggression

[Doug B]

So, I just purchased a WWC Carnival Aussie Lord. I already have a micromusa growing in one of two tanks, and things are going well. So I am not asking for advice on lights or flow. However, I read the following, and it brought up a different question.

"Be aware that Micromussa are voracious nocturnal predators and competitively extrude mesenterial filaments and digest organisms within reach. Great care must be taken in determining the placement and distance between Lordhowensis colonies and other species of stony corals."

In a month or so I am dividing my tanks up. 1 will be softies and polyps (mainly different zoas and palys), the other will be mostly SPS and LPS. So, since the quote above specifically references stony corals, I am wondering if these acans are safe around softies and polyps. Basically, my qustion boils down to which tank to put them in, and how far away from other corals they should be.

 

[mav3rick478]

They are fine, their feeders are not that long. They look like big polyps when fully open and are just more opportunistic eaters, taking in what gets into their grasps. I don't even think they really sting more sticky than anything.

 

[Will Wohlers]

Acans are serious at chemical warfare so depending on how many you have would affect your decision. Run a lot of carbon.

 

[Doug B]

Acans are serious at chemical warfare so depending on how many you have would affect your decision. Run a lot of carbon.

So, should I keep them apart from each other as well? Or are they more like torches and hammers, where they don't mess with each other but they are dangerous to non-relatives?

 

[Will Wohlers]

You can totally mix them. You can mix them with other corals too just run carbon and keep an eye on everybody.

 

[DSC reef]

Acans are serious at chemical warfare so depending on how many you have would affect your decision. Run a lot of carbon.

I've never heard of acanthastrea to produce chemical warfare? Can you provide a link please as I'm curious to read about it. I know for certain they can sting other corals and use mesenterial filaments but not allelopathy.

 

[DSC reef]

So, should I keep them apart from each other as well? Or are they more like torches and hammers, where they don't mess with each other but they are dangerous to non-relatives?

It is perfectly fine to keep like species together with micromussa. I would be more concerned with your softies like leathers to pose a problem with allelopathy.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I've never heard of acanthastrea to produce chemical warfare? Can you provide a link please as I'm curious to read about it. I know for certain they can sting other corals and use mesenterial filaments but not allelopathy.

Following along as I've never heard of it either.

 

[DSC reef]

You can totally mix them. You can mix them with other corals too just run carbon and keep an eye on everybody.

I'm sorry but I disagree. I would never mix micromussa with "other" corals due to stinging and mesenterial filaments, carbon will not due a thing for that. Are you possibly mistaking acans for another coral? I've had micromussa devour other coral over night.

 

[Crabs McJones]

You can totally mix them. You can mix them with other corals too just run carbon and keep an eye on everybody.

I'm sorry but I disagree. I would never mix micromussa with "other" corals due to stinging and mesenterial filaments, carbon will not due a thing for that. Are you possibly mistaking acans for another coral? I've had micromussa devour other coral over night.

I would have to disagree as well. You're just asking for disaster at that point.

 

[DSC reef]

To the OP, you can keep the acans with like species in either tank you choose. With SPS tanks it might be more difficult due to having less nutrients in the tank but it can be done. In the softie tank I'd always have a bag of carbon in the sump due to softies ability in allelopathy. Whatever tank you choose I'd strongly suggest you keep a distance between your acans and other corals.

 

[Will Wohlers]

When I'm talking mixing with other corals I'm talking in same tank. OP asked if you can also mix acans with acans and to that I said yes. They do send out sweepers but also chemicals. I'm currently working and can't find the article specifically on acans but this like/paper at least mentions their ability to release chemicals

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/c...ghts-on-coral-aggression-and-stocking.193724/

 

[DSC reef]

This was a thread from 2015 by unique corals and you just looked that up correct?. Where did you get your information before finding that thread? If you find other papers on this I'm interested. To say all corals release compounds is fine but to say that "acans" are serious in chemical warfare and as long as you run a lot of carbon I can't get behind. You stated you can mix with "other" corals and to me it doesn't mean just acans so in that I disagree and no amount of carbon will help with acans and other coral when it comes to stinging or eating your coral neighbor. Also, euphyllia send out sweepers, acans are known for mesenterial filaments which literally ingest other corals.

 

[3mm3]

The article was referring to acan echinata which is in a whole different level of aggressive compared to lords

 

[Will Wohlers]

No I've actually read that one before just quick searching for the actual article that's about acans and like species that's the only one I could find in a quick search at work that references acans specifically releasing chemicals. So you guys with acans only keep acan specific tanks? Ridiculous you can put acans in any mixed reef. I only meant as far as them touching other corals then only group with acans. Ok done arguing with you guys good luck with your opinions that no one cares about

 

[Tyler Sullivan]

I wouldnt worry lol. I have had similar to those guys and no problems. My zoas grow around most of my colonies and they stay open and dont die. Their feeders arnt that long.

 

[DSC reef]

If you actually read my post I said you can keep them in a mixed reef but you need to space them accordingly. In your response you said you can keep them with any coral as long as you run carbon. Lol. I'd suggest you read up on corals before being rude with other members trying to help.

 

[Will Wohlers]

Trying to help or argue semantics? I have plenty of knowledge of coral biology and corals in general. I suggest you take your own advise but I'm sure you're a typical millenial reefer know it all with a ton of mushroom and zoa knowledge

 

[3mm3]

Trying to help. Acan lords in my years keeping them have been pretty harmless close proximity to a wide variety. However if they do release chemicals then back to the drawing board for me. Now echinata is a completely different experience. They have killed everything I have ever tried to place near it. That includes sps, favia, galaxia, hammers, chalice and others I'm probably forgetting. One thing I never tried was putting it near hydnaphora. Again if they release chemicals like many softies....

 

[DSC reef]

I wouldnt worry lol. I have had similar to those guys and no problems. My zoas grow around most of my colonies and they stay open and dont die. Their feeders arnt that long.

I'd be more worried about the zoas smothering the acans. Acans can destroy other corals like stones, etc, so it's good practice to have space in between.