What is this Coral?

Oscar · #1 05-26-2008, 02:06 AM

I have 3 patches of this coral on Cuban LR that I purchased of few months ago. The largest patch is the size of a quarter. Any ideas as to what this is?

mark · #2 05-26-2008, 02:26 AM

maybe Porites

Myka · #3 05-26-2008, 02:55 AM

Ya, or Stylophora, but I'm betting on Porites.

CLINT · #4 05-26-2008, 03:02 AM

is it hard to the touch or soft and slimey?Clint

Oscar · #5 05-26-2008, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLINT

is it hard to the touch or soft and slimey?Clint

Thanks for the prompt responses! I have looked upporties in my various reference material, in particular "The Reef Aquarium Vol 1" and it seems like porite is a pretty good fit.

This coral is forming a "sheet" on the LR. Now that I have finally taken a photo of it I will be able to track its growth.

Sprung mentions strong light and good flow as well as relief from algae. Any other suggestions to encourage this coral?

I have not done the touch test to see if it is hard or slimey. What would that tell me?

Oscar · #6 05-26-2008, 03:36 AM

The previous photos were taken earlier today wiht the hallide on.

Now only the actinics are on and this is what the coral looks like:

CLINT · #7 05-26-2008, 03:51 AM

it just looks more like an acan or micromussa type coral.if it is slimey and seems to shrink it will not be porites IMO.You would only notice individual polyps retract into the hard skeleton when touched if it is porites.Clint

Myka · #8 05-26-2008, 02:29 PM

I can see clearly in that last photo (with just the actinics on) with the polyps partially retracted that it is definately Porites.

No way is it Acan or Micro.

Snappy · #9 05-26-2008, 02:43 PM

It's not porites, that is actually a variety of Siderastrea sp. which is considered an LPS. They can extend fairly long sweepers at night so give it some room.

Zoaelite · #10 05-26-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snappy

It's not porites, that is actually a variety of Siderastrea sp. which is considered an LPS. They can extend fairly long sweepers at night so give it some room.

Its not an acan/micro 100%, I was leaning towards porites but Greg is usually right when it comes to coral ID'ing so I would go with it being a Siderastrea.
Levi

*EDIT*
This is what a Siderastrea Sp. looks like (Thanks to google)