Micromussa: Keep the Trade Name and the Taxonomy
A coral sold as an acan may have paperwork or older references using a different scientific name. Micromussa illustrates why it helps to keep the original label alongside a checked current identification.
Names can be revised
Taxonomic research has moved some familiar aquarium corals between genera. Micromussa lordhowensis, for example, appears in older literature under Acanthastrea. This does not mean every animal sold with an acan trade name is the same species.
Observe tissue and structure
A top-down view can show the arrangement of fleshy polyps, while a wider view supplies colony context. Expansion, lighting and color processing can obscure useful features. Do not force tissue away from its skeleton to obtain a clearer photograph.
Build a care record
- Keep supplier identity and acquisition history.
- Leave tissue clear of abrasive surfaces and neighboring contact.
- Record light, flow, feeding and placement changes.
- Distinguish visible tissue loss from normal changes in expansion.
Use the spotlight appropriately
No universal feeding schedule, PAR number or dose follows from a common name. The accompanying schematic is not a specimen-identification image. Consult current taxonomy for names, then use the individual animal's history and measured conditions to inform care.
Join the discussion
Do you feed your Micromussa?
Sources and further reading
Source: Original Verdant guide