Description
Acanthophyllia, often called a "doughnut" or "meat" coral, is a large, solitary stony coral. It's characterized by a single, fleshy polyp that hides a strong, calcium-based skeleton. These corals are known for their vibrant colors, patterns, and intense fluorescence.
Here's a more detailed description:
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Appearance: Acanthophyllia are large, single polyp stony corals with a fleshy, meaty appearance, hence the names "meat" or "doughnut" coral. They are not transparent and have a large, solid base.
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Skeleton: Underneath the polyp is a thick, hard skeleton made of calcium.
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Color and Patterns: They come in a wide range of colors and patterns, including greens, reds, blues, purples, and combinations of these.
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Size: Acanthophyllia are known for their large size, making them a prominent centerpiece in reef aquariums.
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Growth: They are considered slow-growing stony corals.
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Care: They generally require moderate lighting and low water flow. They can also benefit from supplemental feeding of meaty foods like mysis and krill.
