Trying to ID faviid/mussid

[Anonymous]

So I bought this coral a little while back (2-3 weeks maybe) and when I bought it, it was labeled as a kikumeishi, which translates as Favia, so that's what I thought I had. Well, when a friend was over a week ago, he said he thought it might be something else, as it didn't look like any of the Favia he'd kept. Someone else has suggested it's an Acan, but the polyps are much smaller (at least half the size) than those of the Acans I've bought and anyway, they sell a lot of Acans over here, so I'd be surprised if it had been misidentified in that way. What do you think?

[rimg]http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab238/TheEscapedApe/Long%20awaited/P1010678.jpg[/rimg]

[rimg]http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab238/TheEscapedApe/Long%20awaited/P1010017.jpg[/rimg]

For reference, here is a picture of one of my Acan purchases.

[rimg]http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab238/TheEscapedApe/Long%20awaited/P1010018.jpg[/rimg]

 

[Anonymous]

I think the only way to really know is to examine the skeleton-which I hope never happens .

 

[Anonymous]

You're right (on both counts). But I was hoping to narrow it down. At the moment what I thought was a Favia I've been told doesn't look like one, but on the other hand, it doesn't seem credible to me that it's an Acan. But hey, I might just have to carry on looking/live in ignorance. It seems to be doing fine where it is at the moment.

 

[Anonymous]

Sometimes that's the best course, letting the coral show you where it wants to be placed

 

[Ben1]

I think micromussa when I see it, but hard to tell. Nice either way!

 

[Anonymous]

I think micromussa

+1

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks both! Well, that's a nice surprise. Not what I was expecting, but I've not seen them sold under a specific name over here so I'm guessing they're not that commonly sold in Japan. Actually, I've just done a search and worked out the Japanese name - アマクサオオトゲキクメイシ (Amakusa Ootoge kikumeishi) which essentially is a slightly amended version of the Japanese for Acanthastrea. Interesting. Of course, now I know the name I'm finding some rather attractive coral for sale online. Must resist, promised wife I wouldn't buy any more coral for a while....

 

[Anonymous]

You should always specify - "honey, I won't buy any more SPS coral for a while" leaves you with the option to buy LPS guilt free.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure that one would fly, but thanks anyway. :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

I think micromussa

+1

I wouldn't want to bet money on it, but +1 from here too.

 

[Anonymous]

If Ben, Rich and Chuck all say so, I can't really ask for more than that. :lol: 8)

 

[Anonymous]

I think micromussa

+1

+2.

 

[Anonymous]

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better...