Whats the difference between....

[eswebster]

What is the difference between micromussa and acanthastrea? They look so similar but the cost difference is crazy. Are the micros just more colorful???

[davidsreef]

I am sure a lot of people can chime in here, but I will try to start this out. I remember just reading an article about them, and I think micro polyps are less than 8mm in diameter while acans can be 8-15mm. I will see if I can find this article for you to read.
From an asthetic point of view I believe both can be very colorful, but it does seem I see more bright colors with the micros, unless it is a non-indo lord cause I have seen some amazing frags. Either way, the really nice and brightly colored ones can be very expensive.

[davidsreef]

Here:
If the coral is determined to be a mussid, species identification requires measuring its corallites across their diameter from wall to wall. Micromussa, which looks very much like some species of Acanthastrea, has corallites 8mm or less in diameter. Acanthastrea generally has corallites smaller than Lobophyllia, and most have corallites between 8-15mm in diameter.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...ebac/index.php

[Havre]

Thanks for the info here. I could never figure that out either.

[Clownnut]

micro= smaller acan lord

[eswebster]

is it really worth the price difference though, I was looking at Fosters/Smith and the price for the micros is nuts!!!! Is it just because they are bright red and orange??? or because they are micros.... are micros much more rare??? Just wondering what causes the price difference if they are so similar, thanks for the info Davidsreef.

[Clownnut]

micro(good coloration) usually run $20-80/poylp.
Acan lord indo $2-10/poylp non indo $20-50/poylp "Japanese Lord" $100-800/poylp
worth it or not, totally depend how much you love them
acan and micro seem like to change color in our home aquarium.

[davidsreef]

!!!REMEMBER ALL OPINION!!!! Here is my opinion on the pricing of corals. Back to college economics - price is dependent on supply and demand. Supply is dependent on the number of colonies being imported, and the number being locally grown which is dependend on the growth and survival rate. Also, import/export regulations will change the supply of imported corals. The demand for corals in my opinion are dependant on trends, color, size, shape, rarity, and husbandry challenges.
I have read that importers here in the US pay the same amout for brown acans as they do for colorful ones, so why is there such a difference in price? That would be the greater demand for that color. A coral is worth the price difference if you believe it is. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
The article I posted above has some good info in it similar to what I just said, so if your bored check it out.

[eswebster]

that is A LOT of reading, ill have to check it out tonight at home. Thanks

[epidemic]

The supply of micros is small. There are usually imported on accident as favia. You will never see micromusssa on a wholesale list. You may get lucky, but it is very doubtfull you will be able to order on on purpose. Places like Dr's get them from trans-shipped orders or pay a ton through wholesales who cherry pick . I think they are worth it. They are super colorfull and grow pretty quick. In my opinion you only need to buy one expensive piece if you wish to collect them, then frag and trade and grow. Trade the new ones and keep expanding.

[epidemic]

Micromuusa are common in japans waters, but relly rare in watersw where it is legal for US to harvest or have corals imported from.

[eswebster]

makes sense, are they medium - high lighting requirement? They are really cool corals, just got sticker shock when browsing the fosters site.

[epidemic]

Any light. Some use PCs, I like 400W halide in a luminarc.

[epidemic]

I bet you could even growth them with moonlights....

[smeese]

I have seen them on wholesale lists out of cali many times but I am sure they are accounted for before they are sold. Micros are much cooler IMO but I guess I may just be hoppin on the bandwagon.