Moseleya Latistellata (Australia) - Giant Star Coral.....
 

My friends and I had to do some digging and research on this piece. It was a "curiosity/oddity" sitting at the LFS. It looked "interesting" there; but not "sexy" (if that makes any sense). Everyone will have their own opinion as to what is or isn't attractive to their respective eyes.

After some research; I discovered that this piece is generally endemic to Northern Australia and South East Asia. It's part of the Faviidae Family (think Favias and Favites ie. Brain Corals) but is uniquely (currently) a MONOSPECIFIC species. In other words: while there may be different coloured Giant Star Coral (most common is green); there is only one type of skeletal structure/design in its genus. Think of it this way: while there are many types and forms of Favias/Favites such as Pineapple, Moon, Honeycomb, Brain, Worm.....there is only one type of Moseleya Latistellata.

http://www.edgeofexistence.org/coral...fo.php?id=1857

In theory; this should be a hardy coral. Its natural habitat includes areas of muddy waters and where there are periods of low tides (ie. prolonged exposure to harsh elements). We'll see if I can keep it alive and thriving. it will be interesting what becomes of it over time. :cool: Incidentally; I mistook it for an "Australomussa rowleyensis" originally.

This is the first Purple, Teal/BLUE, and Orange one I have come across. Most are traditionally varying shades of green. Since I don't come across what I consider true Teal/Blue colours (with respect to LPS) that often; I have purposely enclosed pictures under different lighting conditions to let you judge for yourself. I was remarkably surprised how it looked in the Display when compared to what I saw at the LFS. Enjoy:

This is what it looked like at the LFS (taken with a camera phone):

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps49774d71.jpg

In my Display under 100% White Lighting:

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps433bfa88.jpg

In my Display under 100% Blue Actinic Lighting:

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7764c475.jpg

In my Display 50% White and 50% Actinic (50/50) Lighting:

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...psc44323f6.jpg

Distance picture in my Display using a Camera Phone (most accurate colour rendition in my opinion):

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...psde198881.jpg

Odd a Toronto LFS would not know what it was....given the price of Australia corals and that species are provided on the CITES. Think I know where you DID NOT buy this coral.

And great pick-up. They are hardy, and are a little odd as they are not what people routinely associate with Australia ie. acans, acros and gold torches

Believe it or not.....Irony.....
 

I came across 2 other colonies (green colouration) within same week at a different LFS as I was researching this particular piece. It was at a "big box" chain; and the colonies were actually named and classified properly. I'm not used to this chain of stores identifying corals properly (at least with any consistency). ;)

Very nice I've never seen one before. At least not knowingly. Are the heads pretty much the same size as acan heads?

Short Answer: Yes.

Long Answer: I've seen other colonies with some pretty big heads. If you perform a web engine image search for: "Moseleya Latistellata"; you'll see that the heads can get fairly large. However; Acan Hillae and Acan Bowerbanki get large too.

In retrospect.....I suppose my answer didn't help much. lol ;) Apologies.