Coral ID - PIC

Pazil · #1 03-20-2009, 04:00 AM

Can anyone tell me what this is? It is currently about 5" high, when the lights are out the polyps completely retract and the branches are very thin.... When the lights are on it looks like this;

One of our neighbors gave us this frag and could not remember what it was however he was certain it was not a colt.

Thanks in advance

Cheers
Lawrence

christyf5 · #2 03-20-2009, 04:12 AM

Its a gorgonian, can't remember the species name though.

Delphinus · #3 03-20-2009, 04:35 AM

Whatever it is, it is a photosynthetic gorgonian. (Brown polyps as opposed to white or coloured). My semi-educated guess would be Isis huppura or maybe a Rumphella sp. gorgonian.

http://www.reeflex.net/tiere/2414_Isis_hippuris.htm
http://www.reeflex.net/tiere/2059_Ru...a_sp.%2002.htm

It may also be a Briareum sp. (corky sea finger), it's a fairly common photosynthetic gorgonian in the hobby.
http://www.reeflex.net/tiere/2060_Br...tinum%2001.htm

But the reason I think it's likely #1 or #2 is because you said the branches are thin, corky sea fingers tend to be pretty stocky (1/2" or more wide branches, at least I think so).

Not real 100% on the ID's, I just look at pictures a lot and those are the ones I think most closely resemble what you've got.

Pazil · #4 03-20-2009, 04:52 AM

Here is another pic with the flash on... the stock of this coral is soft enought that it sways with the wave box.

Funny you should mention the white color Tony.... My wife said when she picked up the frag it seemed much whiter in his tank... Not sure if it is coloring up now or is supposed to be white.

Cheers
Lawrence

Myka · #5 03-20-2009, 04:59 AM

I agree with what's already been said...photosynthetic gorgonian.