Common Names

AcanEchinata, Acan Lord, Blasto Coral, Button Coral, Cat’s Eye Coral, Fancy Doughnut Coral, Lobed Brain Coral, Micromussa Coral, Pineapple Coral, Symphyllia Brain Coral

Description

Mussidaeare not very demanding and are easy to care for.  They are fairly common in nature and readily available in the aquarium trade.  To distinguish between Mussidae it is best to view when the polyps are fully extended.

Care Level: Easy

Placement: Bottom

Lighting: Moderate

Flow: Low

Conditions: 76°-83°, s.g. 1.023-1.025, Phosphates 0, Cal 400-450, dKH 8-11, Mag 1200-1350, Sr 8-10

Conditions & Placement

Mussidae should not be housed with a lot of soft corals as they do not do well together.  Water movement should be low and avoid strong lighting.  Mussidae are aggressive and their sweeper tentacles can disturb or harm nearby corals so leave plenty of room.

Feeding

Mussidae do not need to be fed as they will consume from the water column however to promote growth can be supplemented with target feeding zooplankton or small particle foods.  Mussidae will extend polyp tentacles at night to feed however in the home aquarium this may also be observed during the day or when food is introduced.

Maintenance

Monthly water changes of 20% or bi-weekly water changes of at least 10% are suggested. Mussidae do not do well in pristine water conditions.  Fish are necessary in the aquarium to provide nitrogen needed for them to thrive.  Calcium nitrate is also beneficial (different then plain calcium).

Warnings

Too strong light will cause the polyps of Mussidae to not fully open and may cause bleaching or loss of color.