How to keep rainbow acans rainbow

[jacob4]

Hi everyone, I'm picking up some rainbow acans tomorrow, but I've seen in some posts that they commonly turn red or orange in aquariums. Anyone got any tips on how to keep them rainbow? I'm running an ai prime 16hd on a 40 gallon cube also.
Thanks

 

[VintageReefer]

Very common for rainbow acans to change to all red. Happened to me on some very very expensive frags a few years ago.

I mistakingly thought they must have developed these colors from bright lighting so I mounted them on a frag rack near the top. They all turned red

Turns out it’s the opposite. I’ve talked to other owners. I’ve talked to vendors. I tried again following advice. They need very low lighting 80-100 par

I tried again and have some on my sandbed in indirect light around 80-100 par and they are retaining color nicely

 

[VintageReefer]

Also once they go all red they will not go back

 

[Steven Garland]

Low par,amd feed them.

So I noticed my rainbow acan was paling out,not turnimg colors but the colors were dull. Stuck it in literally no light basically and about a week later it was brighter than its ever been lol.

 

[jacob4]

Very common for rainbow acans to change to all red. Happened to me on some very very expensive frags a few years ago.

I mistakingly thought they must have developed these colors from bright lighting so I mounted them on a frag rack near the top. They all turned red

Turns out it’s the opposite. I’ve talked to other owners. I’ve talked to vendors. I tried again following advice. They need very low lighting 80-100 par

I tried again and have some on my sandbed in indirect light around 80-100 par and they are retaining color nicely

I'm thinking of shading it and slowly moving them into normal light on the sandbed, my lights not too intense so it should be OK anyway. Thanks for the info

 

[jacob4]

Low par,amd feed them.

So I noticed my rainbow acan was paling out,not turnimg colors but the colors were dull. Stuck it in literally no light basically and about a week later it was brighter than its ever been lol.

Will do thanks, did you put it in a shaded spot?

 

[shcrimps]

i always just kept mine low light and fed mysis/ AB+ and they seem happy
was a frag and turned to this after a year

 

[VintageReefer]

I'm thinking of shading it and slowly moving them into normal light on the sandbed, my lights not too intense so it should be OK anyway. Thanks for the info

I have also had better luck with Asian acans

These are on my sandbed, with a frag shelf above creating a little shade

 

[crazyfishmom]

All of mine are in the same tank under really cheap low strength lights because my angels decided that they were delicious in my big tank. Turns out it was the best thing to have done. They are fluffier, growing like weeds, and the colors are absolutely stunning. This is a coral only tank and I add restor and oyster feast once a week.

 

[jacob4]

i always just kept mine low light and fed mysis/ AB+ and they seem happy
was a frag and turned to this after a year

Looks great

 

[jacob4]

They look great. The ones I'm getting are almost 100% Australian, but I'll check when I go to pick up

I have also had better luck with Asian acans

These are on my sandbed, with a frag shelf above creating a little shade

 

[jacob4]

Just put it in the tank. I wanna make sure this is enough shade? My light isn't too strong so I might slowly acclimate them to direct light on the sandbed if it's safe?

 

[DIYreefer]

Low/very low light or even a shaded area and feeding are the key to keeping colors. Although it is generally true that once they shift colors they won't shift back, this isn't always the case. I have some that shifted after I fragged them that have since regained their original colors.

 

[crazyfishmom]

I have also had better luck with Asian acans

These are on my sandbed, with a frag shelf above creating a little shade

Asian acans are soooo pretty. Do you have a particular source you like for them? They look to me more like button scolys that form conies than traditional acans.

 

[VintageReefer]

Asian acans are soooo pretty. Do you have a particular source you like for them? They look to me more like button scolys that form conies than traditional acans.

I do, I will PM you today

 

[Steven Garland]

I picked all mime up from Top Shelf and WWC. But I have some type of bacteria infection in all my acan's,some are still doing alright,some are pretty much 95% gone.

 

[jackson6745]

Mine have been pretty happy + holding color in an SPS tank under high light (400 par). Photo is under halide so excuse the lack of glow lol. Tank is well fed and the lps stay happy. If i slack on feedings they don’t open up as much.

 

[ReeferB28]

Also once they go all red they will not go back

Based on what? The genetic characteristics don't just go away.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Its funny that I just happened to come across this thread because I was just about to get these...I believe theyd fall under the category or Rainbow Acans but not sure...

 

[VintageReefer]

Based on what? The genetic characteristics don't just go away.

They don’t go back. It’s a damage that doesn’t heal