Gold and Turquoise Acan Echinata Coral

The Gold and Turquoise Acan Echinata is a vibrant, high-contrast LPS coral that combines rich golden tones with striking turquoise highlights. This colour pairing gives the coral exceptional depth and shimmer, especially under blue-heavy lighting where the turquoise hues intensify while the gold maintains a warm, metallic glow.

Well known for their durability and strong feeding response, Acan Echinata corals like this make excellent feature pieces in both mixed reefs and LPS-dominant aquariums, offering bold colour without excessive care demands.

Natural Habitat & Distribution

Acan Echinata corals originate from the Indo-Pacific region, with natural populations found across:

• Indonesia

• Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

• Papua New Guinea

• Fiji and surrounding Pacific islands

In the wild, they are typically found on reef slopes and lower reef zones where lighting is moderate and water movement is gentle.

A Brief History

Acan corals have long been favourites in the reef hobby due to their vivid colouration, manageable growth, and reliable feeding behaviour. Gold-based morphs with contrasting cool tones, such as turquoise or teal, are especially popular for their ability to stand out while still blending naturally into reef layouts.

Appearance & Growth

Classified as an LPS (Large Polyp Stony) coral, Gold and Turquoise Acan Echinata features:

• Warm gold base tones with turquoise highlights

• Thick, fleshy polyps with clear skeletal definition

• Moderate to strong fluorescence under blue lighting

• Compact, mound-forming growth

Growth is moderate, with additional polyps developing steadily under stable conditions.

Placement & Lighting

Acan Echinata prefer lower to moderate lighting conditions.

• Lighting: Low–Medium

• Best placed on the sand bed or lower rockwork

• Excessive light may cause colour fading or reduced expansion

Light acclimation is recommended.

Flow Requirements

Provide low to moderate, indirect flow.

• Enough movement to keep detritus from settling

• Avoid strong or direct flow which can damage fleshy tissue

A gentle, consistent flow pattern works best.

Water Chemistry

Stable reef parameters are essential for long-term success.

Maintain consistent levels of:

• Alkalinity

• Calcium

• Magnesium

Acan Echinata perform best in systems with low to moderate nutrients rather than ultra-low nutrient environments.

Feeding

Acan corals are enthusiastic feeders and benefit greatly from regular target feeding.

• Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped seafood

• LPS pellets and coral-specific meaty foods

Feed 1–2 times per week when feeding tentacles are visible, ideally during lower light periods.

Temperament & Spacing

Acan Echinata are semi-aggressive and possess a noticeable sting.

• Allow space from neighbouring corals

• Avoid placement near delicate species

• Ensure tissue does not contact rockwork

Frag Size & Natural Variation

• Frag size: Typically multi-polyp frag (unless otherwise stated)

• Colour balance and intensity may vary depending on lighting, nutrients, and tank conditions.

Care Summary

• Care Level: Moderate

• Flow: Low–Medium

• Lighting: Low–Medium

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive