De Jong Marinelife, Holland
Info
Acanthophyllia are large polyp stony corals, often referred to as donut or meat corals. They are similar to Scolymia/Homophyllia or Cynarina in that they are a single polyp, round in shape, and often come in some iridescent colors and patterns.
These days Acanthophyllia are highly sought after by collectors of large polyp stony corals, and I would even go so far as to say that they are the absolute top of the line for those looking for a special animal.
The obvious downside to this high demand is the price of these corals. They are some of the most expensive corals in the industry.
Fortunately, despite the high price, Acanthophyllia are among the more hardy corals available.
The only thing I would mention in regards to their hardiness is the shipping of this coral. Shipping is always a stressful event for any coral, but for Acanthophyllia it can be especially damaging. Underneath all the flesh is one of the spikiest skeletons I have ever seen on a coral. This is problematic for two reasons: first, it can puncture shipping bags, causing leaks, and if you ship in cold weather, the leaking water can disable the heater packs in the box.
The second problem with their spiny skeleton is that they can damage their skin during shipping. Assuming they don't puncture the bag while rolling around, the spiny skeleton punctures their skin. As I said, it's a good thing this coral is pretty tough, because it doesn't take long for it to settle into an established reef aquarium and heal the damage.
Characteristics: The corals are solitary, usually cone-shaped with a pointed base.
The size of the septa varies greatly, with the largest being extremely large and having very large, rounded indentations.
Smaller septa are thin, and the smallest have almost no indentations. The costae are subequal. Columella are large and compact. The paliform lobes are absent or almost absent. The polyps are very fleshy, with thick tissue covering the underlying skeleton.
Color: Concentric pale to dark greens, reds and browns, combined with radial grooves.
Depending on the color, collectors are willing to pay a four-digit amount.
Breeding: They cannot be cut, and sexual propagation has not yet succeeded on a commercial scale
slow growth
Similar species: skeletal structures are similar to those of Cynarina lacrymalis, except that the paliform crown is absent or nearly absent and the primary septa are larger. As in Indophyllia macassarensis and Cynarina lacrymalis, the soft tissue is very thick and opaque, obscuring the underlying skeleton. Acanthophyllia deshayesiana is larger than these two species.
The specimens from Australia have mostly the greenish-blue mint chocolate chip appearance. The specimens from Indonesia are mostly red and blue, but there are rare color varieties that have all the colors of the rainbow. These are the most sought after.
Lighting: mainly low to medium light intensity, move to a shadier area of the tank at the first sign of trouble.
Placement: bottom area, when satisfied they will expand nicely.
Current: do not direct strong and direct current at the animal!
Habitat: deep soft substrates.
Occurrence: Rare except in deep interreef areas.
Synonyms:
Acanthophyllia deshayensiana (Michelin, 1850)
Caryophyllia deshayesiana Michelin, 1850
Protolobophyllia deshayesiana (Michelin, 1850)
These days Acanthophyllia are highly sought after by collectors of large polyp stony corals, and I would even go so far as to say that they are the absolute top of the line for those looking for a special animal.
The obvious downside to this high demand is the price of these corals. They are some of the most expensive corals in the industry.
Fortunately, despite the high price, Acanthophyllia are among the more hardy corals available.
The only thing I would mention in regards to their hardiness is the shipping of this coral. Shipping is always a stressful event for any coral, but for Acanthophyllia it can be especially damaging. Underneath all the flesh is one of the spikiest skeletons I have ever seen on a coral. This is problematic for two reasons: first, it can puncture shipping bags, causing leaks, and if you ship in cold weather, the leaking water can disable the heater packs in the box.
The second problem with their spiny skeleton is that they can damage their skin during shipping. Assuming they don't puncture the bag while rolling around, the spiny skeleton punctures their skin. As I said, it's a good thing this coral is pretty tough, because it doesn't take long for it to settle into an established reef aquarium and heal the damage.
Characteristics: The corals are solitary, usually cone-shaped with a pointed base.
The size of the septa varies greatly, with the largest being extremely large and having very large, rounded indentations.
Smaller septa are thin, and the smallest have almost no indentations. The costae are subequal. Columella are large and compact. The paliform lobes are absent or almost absent. The polyps are very fleshy, with thick tissue covering the underlying skeleton.
Color: Concentric pale to dark greens, reds and browns, combined with radial grooves.
Depending on the color, collectors are willing to pay a four-digit amount.
Breeding: They cannot be cut, and sexual propagation has not yet succeeded on a commercial scale
slow growth
Similar species: skeletal structures are similar to those of Cynarina lacrymalis, except that the paliform crown is absent or nearly absent and the primary septa are larger. As in Indophyllia macassarensis and Cynarina lacrymalis, the soft tissue is very thick and opaque, obscuring the underlying skeleton. Acanthophyllia deshayesiana is larger than these two species.
The specimens from Australia have mostly the greenish-blue mint chocolate chip appearance. The specimens from Indonesia are mostly red and blue, but there are rare color varieties that have all the colors of the rainbow. These are the most sought after.
Lighting: mainly low to medium light intensity, move to a shadier area of the tank at the first sign of trouble.
Placement: bottom area, when satisfied they will expand nicely.
Current: do not direct strong and direct current at the animal!
Habitat: deep soft substrates.
Occurrence: Rare except in deep interreef areas.
Synonyms:
Acanthophyllia deshayensiana (Michelin, 1850)
Caryophyllia deshayesiana Michelin, 1850
Protolobophyllia deshayesiana (Michelin, 1850)
