Red Acanthastrea Maxima

Acanthastrea maxima is a premium LPS coral prized for its bold colours and fleshy polyps. Thrives under moderate lighting and gentle flow, adding rich texture and movement to reef aquariums 100 L and larger.

Additional Information

The Acanthastrea maxima, available from All Things Marine Aquatics, is a striking large-polyp stony coral known for its thick tissue and vivid colours ranging from deep reds and oranges to greens and blues. Originating from the Indo-Pacific, this coral thrives in stable reef conditions and brings a true centrepiece glow to any tank.

It prefers moderate lighting (PAR 80–150) and gentle to moderate water flow. Place it on the lower to mid-level rockwork, away from direct current, to allow its fleshy polyps to fully expand. Under the right conditions, polyps can reach 4–6 cm, and colonies can spread up to 25 cm over time.

While photosynthetic, Acanthastrea maxima benefits from target feeding two to three times per week with mysis shrimp, reef roids, or similar coral foods. Regular feeding enhances both growth and colour intensity.

Maintain stable parameters with a temperature of 24–27 °C, calcium 420–450 ppm, and magnesium around 1350 ppm for best results. It’s a semi-aggressive coral, so keep 5 cm spacing from nearby species to prevent stinging.

Tank Size: 100 L+
Lighting: Moderate (80–150 PAR)
Flow: Gentle to Moderate
Placement: Lower to mid reef zone
Care Level: Easy–Moderate
Temperament: Semi-aggressive