Acan placement?

[Cheeze]

Hello expert reefers!
I picked up 3 small frags the other day, believe they are all Acans, may be one or two is a different sub-species?
But my question: can I place them all right next to each other, given they are all Acans? Or will an Acan attack another? Currently I have them in the lower half of my breeder tank so the light isn't too intense, in a low-to-semi medium flow area. But am wondering if I can put them together in a mini-colony sort or placement...

 

[KrisReef]

I think the two colorful ones might be a problem in your tank. Send them to me!
I have some that grow side by side and they seem ok?

 

[Cheeze]

Follow up with another more general question: can you place corals of the same species right next to each other (with some space to grow and extend)? Example, put 2-3 Bird Nests or Blastos or Acros in a cluster? Or does space and aggression towards same kind vary from species to species?

I read you can with Zoas, and I have a couple of Frogspawns and Hammers in a little bunch...but is this a safe approach with other corals too?

 

[afrokobe]

honor

Follow up with another more general question: can you place corals of the same species right next to each other (with some space to grow and extend)? Example, put 2-3 Bird Nests or Blastos or Acros in a cluster? Or does space and aggression towards same kind vary from species to species?

I read you can with Zoas, and I have a couple of Frogspawns and Hammers in a little bunch...but is this a safe approach with other corals too?

it depends on the coral. For those acan (lords), you can put them together. Some of mine touch each other and have no issues. Chalices on the other hand need to stay away from everything even other chalices.

 

[YOYOYOReefer]

i would say with acans placement next to others is fine, make sure to place them where they will get fed alot, they eat more solid foods than most other corals

 

[MaxTremors]

The first one is Acan echinata and the last is micromussa lordhowensis, the middle one could be either. They can’t be kept next to each other the, Acan echinata will kill the micro lord. Until the second one is for sure ID’d, I’d keep them all separate. Micro lords can be kept together, echinatas will sometimes try to kill each other, so they should be kept alone. The more I look at it, the first could even be an Acan Pachysepta (how big is it?) which can be very aggressive and should be kept alone (I have a little one that is just viscious).

 

[Cheeze]

The first one is Acan echinata and the last is micromussa lordhowensis, the middle one could be either. They can’t be kept next to each other the, Acan echinata will kill the micro lord. Until the second one is for sure ID’d, I’d keep them all separate. Micro lords can be kept together, echinatas will sometimes try to kill each other, so they should be kept alone. The more I look at it, the first could even be an Acan Pachysepta (how big is it?) which can be very aggressive and should be kept alone (I have a little one that is just viscious).

Oh wow thank you! All three frags are still fairly small, the first 2 are about a thumbnail each and the 3rd slightly bigger at about 1.5 thumbnails (my only unit of measure ). When I feed, I do see the 1st really open it's mouth, looks like a straight hole to it's belly, while the other two do not seem to as much.

But regardless, I'll heed your advice and keep them spaced apart for now! I'll try to get an ID the next time I go back to the LFS where I got them, maybe they still have frags of each and can help confirm!