Aussie Acanthastrea lordhowensis

Acanthastrea generally have large corallites (8-15mm) with small teeth or lobes on their septa, as well as well-developed columellae. In the wild, they're found mostly in shallow water to about 20m, often in protected areas like lagoons, forming colonies up to several meters across.

In the reef aquarium, Acanthastrea are incredibly hardy and fast growing, tolerating a wide variety of conditions, including both low and moderate lighting and moderate water currents. They make ideal candidates for fragging at home, since they have such distinct corallites (less risk of collateral damage!), amazing adaptability to lighting conditions, and rapid growth rates.

Be aware that Acanthastrea are voracious nocturnal predators and competitively extrude mesenterial filaments and digest organisms within reach, so be careful with placement and distance between colonies.