Micromussa lordhowensis (Acan Lord) Propagation Guide
The prized Acan Lord, reclassified from Acanthastrea to Micromussa lordhowensis in 2016, is a colonial LPS fragged on a band saw between its fleshy, uniform corallites.
Overview
Micromussa lordhowensis is the coral long known in the hobby as the Acan Lord. It is a large-polyp stony coral in the family Lobophylliidae, originally described under Acanthastrea and reclassified into Micromussa by Arrigoni et al. in 2016 because its uniform circular polyps, copious fleshy tissue and finely beaded texture match Micromussa more closely than Acanthastrea. It is a colonial coral built of many fleshy corallites.
Reproductive Mode
The reclassification grouped Lords and other Micromussa as more closely related to each other than to the Bowerbanki, Hillae and Echinata acans. As a colony of uniform corallites, each holding one polyp, it propagates asexually by dividing the colony into multi-polyp pieces.
Fragging / Asexual Propagation
Acans such as Micromussa are cut with a band saw around the polyps; a typical frag is about two to four polyps. The base is cut flat, then the frag is glued to a plug to heal and encrust, and the cut is kept thick enough to avoid slicing into the living polyp. Because Lords are high-value corals, single-polyp and small multi-polyp frags are commonly produced.
Conditions for Propagation
Cut frags recover best with stable parameters, moderate flow and moderate light in a mature system. Regular feeding speeds tissue growth over the wound and onto the plug, while clean, low-nutrient water reduces infection risk.
Common Challenges
The main hazards are cutting into living tissue, leaving frags too thin, and tissue recession or infection in poor water after cutting. Low flow until the wound seals and stable conditions during recovery minimize losses on these valuable corals.