🌟 Acanthastrea lowdwensis Rainbow Frag
Acanthastrea lowdwensis (Rainbow Morph)
Quick Stats
Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Colour Form: A dazzling rainbow palette with polyps displaying shades of green, blue, purple, and pink across a warm orange-red base. Under actinic lighting, each polyp seems to shimmer independently, creating a miniature kaleidoscope effect across the frag.
Water Conditions: 24–27 °C, dKH 8–11, pH 8.0–8.4, sg 1.024–1.026
Family: Lobophylliidae
Lighting: Moderate to low
Supplements: Calcium, Magnesium, Trace Elements
Water Flow: Low to moderate, gentle pulses
Placement: Lower to middle reef zones, on rock ledges or sandy substrate
🧬 Overview
The Rainbow Acanthastrea lowdwensis frag is a true showstopper for any LPS collection. Its multicolored polyps bring dynamic visual interest and a vibrant, living spectrum to the reef. This coral thrives in stable, low-stress environments, where gentle flow and balanced lighting allow the full range of colors to develop and intensify over time.
🍽️ Care & Feeding
Though photosynthetic, this coral benefits from target feeding 1–2 times per week. Offer finely minced meaty foods such as mysis, brine shrimp, or powdered coral diets like Reef Roids. Feeding during low flow or after lights-out encourages polyp extension and enhances the vibrancy of each color.
⚠️ Note: Sweeper tentacles can extend at night, so provide adequate spacing from nearby corals to avoid stinging.
📈 Optimal Parameters
-
Alkalinity (dKH): 8–11
-
Calcium (Ca): 420–460 ppm
-
Magnesium (Mg): 1250–1350 ppm
-
Nitrate (NO₃): 2–10 ppm
-
Phosphate (PO₄): 0.01–0.05 ppm
📍 Placement
Position on stable rock or sandbed in lower-to-mid reef areas with gentle, indirect flow. Blue-dominant or mixed spectrum lighting will maximize the rainbow effect, creating a vibrant focal point in your aquarium.