hard coral id

[scarf_ace1981]

i got this coral from someone who was breaking down thier tank. he didn't know what it was but here is a pic. maybe you guys can help me. it's a brown color and polyps extend when in direct flow of my seio. i have it all the way up right under the 15k xm 400w mh. i will try to get a pick when polyps extended

 

[aaron23]

encrusting montipora? i'd have to see when i come over some day. looks like i crapped that on your rock. j/p

 

[Tonyscoots84]

did u acclimate it to ur lighting 1st.. or u put it all the way up as soon as u put it in the tank...

 

[prattreef]

Does it have kind of a shiny waxy texture to it? Kind of looks like Helipora --blue ridge coral. If so, it is not a true coral but a ( benign ) member of the fire coral family. The internal skeleton is blue. It likes strong current and will go long periods of time without extending it polyps.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

scarf can u get us a better pic..... (clearer)

 

[scarf_ace1981]

oh it was from kalvin(nycfactcow) it's been in my tank for a long time. no matter what i do it won't die. i will try to get better pics. it definately likes the new place cuz it extends it polyps.

randy it is shiny and yeah sometimes it won't extend polyps for a very long period but it is doing it more frequently in the new spot.

 

[House of Laughter]

Hmm, hate to jump in when others more knowledgable are here already, but to me it looks like an Undata or Hispida (without polyp extension)

House

 

[prattreef]

Could be.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

this is a tough one. BTW that is a pic of it from the side. it comes out of the rock like a little paw. it's not growing on the rock.

encrusting montipora- no way

helipora- description sound sounds right on the money

undata or hispida

does anyone have pics for comparison? i will try to search for some myself.

 

[prattreef]

Undata and hispida = Montipora species plating and or encrusting.

 

[prattreef]

Based on your second description I am pretty sure it is Heliopora. they are pretty undestructable and will extend polyps mor ereadily in strong current. They shed the waxy coating from time to time too. An aquired taste, but I like them quite a bit. RD

 

[loismustdie]

I got those, Blue Ridge. Looks exactly like yours. helipora, as randy said.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

not that i doubt you, but got a pic for comparison?

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

....no matter what i do it won't die.

LOLOLOL

 

[reefman]

i agree, its Blue Ridge.

 

[loismustdie]

Scarf, sure. I don't have an individual pic of it, but I cropped this one down. The polyps aren't extended. Hope this helps

 

[noodleman]

agree its a Heliopora....i've seen calvin's tank couple of times and i know he doesn't have that many montiporas, and i do believe he hada heliopora when i was helping him take down his tank.

 

[scarf_ace1981]

heliopora it is.

 

[prattreef]

Do I win a prize?

 

[scarf_ace1981]

you get to name my seahorses? :biglaugh: