Both Dendros and Sun Polyps are referred to as Sun Polyps. Dendros are Dendrophyllia sp, and Sun Polyps are Tubastrea sp. However, according to Bob Fenner on the Wet Web Media; "Balanophyllia, Dendrophyllia, not distinguishable from very similar Tubastrea without examination of dead skeletal (septal fusion) characteristics." and "Genus Dendrophyllia: Near impossible to distinguish from Tubastrea w/o microscopic analysis of corallite skeletons." All three of the above species are from the genus Dendrophylliidae, there are several other species in the genus as well.

Generally, I think you just pay the exorbitant amount of money if the coral in question has large polyps and tends to stay open during the day, which seems to be the only easily definable difference, and is apparently not particularly accurate. :D I bet there are more than a few people out there who paid for a Denro, but got a Tubastrea!!

Just reading into this....

Rather than looking at the skeletal, would you say the difference between Sun Polyps (Sun coral) and Dendro/Balano are due to a difference in size with sun corals being a whole lot smaller?

How common are Dendros? Balanos?


TJ, I hope your sun corals are surviving from the last time I saw your tank. Just cross your fingers and hope they live :(