Rainbow Acan

Rainbow Acan

 

There are some corals that are considered reef tank classics and are almost “must haves” for any home tank. Corals that fall into this category are Hammer Corals, Zoas, Torch Corals and the classic Acans. While there is debate about the pronunciation of their common name (are they Eh-Cans or Ah-Cans) there is no denying that Acans are a reef tank staple. At the top of the Acan hierarchy is the stunning Rainbow Acan.

While there is no official definition of what makes an Acan a Rainbow Acan it is generally accepted that for an Acan to be considered a rainbow it should have at least 4 different colours. These colours can include blue, pink, red, orange, yellow and purple. Generally, each head of a Rainbow Acan colony has a slightly different pattern but the overall colour palette will remain the same throughout the colony. Their growth pattern is the same as any other Acan, one head will either split into two heads or smaller heads will “bud” from the stony skeleton. They will form a dome shape when fully grown.

Rainbow acanastrea frag

So why include a Rainbow Acan in your home tank? Are they worth the premium over other colour morphs? Simply put, there is no other coral that offers more colours per dollar than the Rainbow Acan. While they are more expensive than other colour morphs, they are still very reasonably priced when compared to other “rainbow” corals. Their growth rate means that one frag will grow into a stunning colony in relatively short order. Because each head is slightly different, they will create a unique kaleidoscope of colour wherever they are placed in a tank. Unlike some corals that begin to look monotonous when they get too big, Rainbow Acans are never boring! They make an amazing centerpiece coral. They are also quite hardy and will tolerate a wider range of water conditions than many other LPS corals. For a beginner hobbyist with an established tank, a Rainbow Acan makes a great first “signature coral”.

rainbow acans

 

Of course Rainbow Acans are also popular among more experienced hobbyists who appreciate its beauty and ease of care. So how can you grow a thriving colony of this beautiful coral? The first step is choosing a healthy specimen to start with. When choosing a Rainbow Acan frag, look for one that has fluffy heads and no exposed skeleton. Once you choose a healthy frag the next step is to place it in your tank. Thankfully, their care requirements are fairly straightforward. Generally Acans (including the Rainbow morph) prefer low light and low to moderate water flow. This makes them ideally suited for placement on the sandbed. The flow should be sufficient to keep the coral free from detritus but not so strong that the coral’s flesh is folded over or blown around too aggressively. Acans are a coral that loves to eat and will grow much faster and have better colouration if they are fed once a week with LPS pellets such as Vitalis LPS Coral Pellets. Simply turn off the flow and spot feed 1-2 pellets per head and watch the coral envelop the food.

pink rainbow acan

 

 

Having said that, they are photosynthetic and will do quite well without supplemental feeding. Like all stony corals, Acans use calcium carbonate to build their skeletons and, therefore, it is important to monitor alkalinity and calcium levels. This is especially important if there are multiple large colonies in your tank. Rainbow Acans are truly a standout coral and their beautiful colouration and ease of care make it a great choice for hobbyists of any experience level.

Rainbow Acan

Rainbow Acan Fragbox Shopping List

Rainbow Acan Frag
Ecotech Coral Glue https://fragbox.ca/product/ecotech-coral-glue-30ml/
Vitalis LPS Coral Food https://fragbox.ca/product/vitalis-lps-coral-food-pellet/
Frag Plug Rock Holder https://fragbox.ca/product/frag-plug-rock-holder/