Striped UFO Acan Lord Coral

About This Coral

The Striped UFO Acan Lord Coral (Micromussa lordhowensis) is a stunning Large Polyp Stony (LPS) coral prized for its bold striped patterns, vibrant coloration, and beautifully rounded, fleshy polyps. This eye-catching Acan Lord variety offers an extraordinary combination of color and texture, making it a desirable addition to reef aquariums and premium coral collections.

The Striped UFO Acan Lord features distinctive concentric rings and contrasting stripes radiating across its fleshy polyps, creating an intriguing, otherworldly appearance. Under blue-spectrum reef lighting, its fluorescent pigments can produce a spectacular display, highlighting the intricate patterns that make this coral so appealing to collectors.

Native to the Indo-Pacific region, Acan Lord corals are known for their adaptability, relatively easy care requirements, and ability to develop colorful colonies over time. As the coral matures, new polyps form around the existing colony, gradually creating a dense arrangement of rounded, jewel-like heads.

Unlike many demanding SPS corals, the Striped UFO Acan Lord thrives under low to moderate lighting and gentle water movement. Its large, fleshy polyps expand when conditions are favorable, giving the coral a full, colorful appearance.

This photosynthetic coral receives much of its energy from symbiotic algae living within its tissues. However, Acan Lords are enthusiastic feeders, and occasional supplemental feeding with mysis shrimp, finely chopped marine foods, or specialized coral foods can encourage healthy growth and polyp development.

Although relatively hardy, Acan Lords are considered semi-aggressive and can extend feeding tentacles that may irritate neighboring corals. Providing adequate spacing and maintaining stable aquarium water parameters will help support long-term health and coloration.

Whether you’re building a colorful Acan garden, enhancing a mixed reef aquarium, or searching for a distinctive collector’s coral, the Striped UFO Acan Lord delivers exceptional visual appeal, fascinating patterns, and rewarding growth.

Features:

• Distinctive striped UFO pattern features contrasting concentric rings and radial markings across colorful, fleshy polyps.
• Brilliant coloration and fluorescence create an eye-catching display under blue-spectrum reef lighting.
• Large, rounded fleshy polyps expand to form a beautiful, textured coral colony.
• Highly desirable collector’s coral valued for its unique patterns and ornamental appearance.
• Low to moderate lighting requirements make it suitable for lower and middle sections of reef aquariums.
• Gentle, indirect water flow promotes healthy polyp expansion without damaging delicate tissue.
• Relatively easy care requirements make Acan Lords suitable for beginners with established reef systems.
• Natural colony development produces additional polyps around the original colony as it grows.
• Photosynthetic nutrition provides much of the coral’s energy through symbiotic algae.
• Excellent feeding response allows polyps to capture small meaty foods and specialized coral supplements.
• Supplemental feeding encourages growth and can support healthy tissue development.
• Semi-aggressive temperament requires spacing from neighboring corals to avoid contact and irritation.
• Adaptable to mixed reef environments when provided with stable water chemistry and proper placement.
• Ideal for Acan gardens where different color varieties can create an impressive reef display.
• Colorful appearance under actinic lighting enhances fluorescent pigments and contrasting stripe patterns.
• Unique individual coloration means each specimen may display slightly different patterns and color intensity.

Specifications:

• Common name: Striped UFO Acan Lord
• Scientific name: Micromussa lordhowensis
• Former scientific name: Acanthastrea lordhowensis
• Family: Lobophylliidae
• Coral type: LPS (Large Polyp Stony)
• Origin: Indo-Pacific
• Care level: Easy to Moderate
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive
• Coloration: Contrasting multicolored stripes and concentric rings; coloration varies by specimen
• Light: Low to Moderate, approximately 50–150 PAR
• Water flow: Low to Moderate, indirect
• Placement: Lower to middle areas of rockwork or sand bed
• Adult size: Colonies expand as additional polyps develop; size varies with age and growing conditions
• Growth rate: Moderate with stable conditions and appropriate feeding
• Diet: Photosynthetic; benefits from supplemental meaty foods
• Recommended foods: Mysis shrimp, finely chopped marine foods, and specialized LPS coral foods
• Temperature: 75–80°F (24–27°C)
• pH: 8.1–8.4
• Salinity: 1.024–1.026 SG
• Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH
• Calcium: 400–450 ppm
• Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm
• Nitrate: Approximately 2–15 ppm
• Phosphate: Low but detectable, with stable levels
• Reef compatibility: Yes, with adequate spacing
• Propagation: Fragging or natural development of additional polyps
• Recommended application: Acan coral gardens, mixed reef aquariums, LPS coral collections, and colorful reef displays

Feeding and Care Recommendations:

Place the Striped UFO Acan Lord in a lower or middle section of the aquarium where it receives low to moderate lighting and gentle, indirect water movement. A starting light intensity of approximately 50–100 PAR is often suitable, with gradual adjustments based on the coral’s response.

Avoid positioning the coral directly beneath extremely powerful reef lighting or in the direct path of a wavemaker, as excessive illumination and strong flow can cause tissue recession, bleaching, or poor polyp expansion.

Supplemental target feeding once or twice weekly with small portions of mysis shrimp, finely chopped marine foods, or specialized coral food can encourage healthy growth. Feed only what the coral can capture and consume to prevent unnecessary nutrient buildup.

Maintain several inches of space between the Acan Lord and neighboring corals, especially aggressive species capable of extending long sweeper tentacles.

Regular testing of calcium, alkalinity, magnesium, and salinity helps maintain the stable water conditions necessary for healthy skeletal growth and vibrant coloration.

Important: “Striped UFO” is a commercial trade name describing a particular Acan Lord color morph, not a separate scientific species. Actual coloration, stripe patterns, and fluorescence may vary between individual specimens and under different aquarium lighting conditions.

Recommended application: A colorful, collectible LPS coral ideal for aquarists seeking striking striped patterns, vibrant fluorescence, beautiful fleshy polyps, and a standout addition to an established reef aquarium.