A. Loripes?

[craiglanda]

i think it is an A. Loripes anyone have another idea?

 

[Bebo77]

http://www.coralsee.org./#

 

[katpurdy]

That link only helps if you know exactly where it was collected from

 

[craiglanda]

yeah i realized that last night! So anyone have any insight?

 

[Kolognekoral]

A. loripes would be a good candidate, but also, A. granulosa and A. lokani, all of which can look very similar until a bit more mature. A. lokani almost always developes slightly curved axials, which your coral seems to show. Generally speaking, A. lokani has the smallest radials of the three, being just small pockets. A. granulosa and A. loripes differ in form, the first being more of a plate type, while loripes is clearly a bush with branching. All three species can have the radials absent on the upper surface of the branches.

 

[craiglanda]

This coral is already about 6 inches and numerous branches...How mature is considered "mature"?

 

[Kolognekoral]

Good question, as it varies from species to species. I consider it mature when the growth form is clearly defined. By your piece, if it is A. loripes, then it will continue to grow up rather than out, while if it is A. granulosa, it should start to table. From the angle of the picture, it is unclear in which direction the main growth is folowing. I see branching coming near the base, but I see growth at the top, as well. Both qualities are more A. loripes, but I have seen A. granulosa looking similar until is suddenly grew only from the edges and base. Current and wave action can strongly influence the growth form, even in the aquarium.

In any case, these species require the same conditions.

 

[craiglanda]

Thanks for the info! It is hard to tell which way it will continue to grow...Just as a side note i found it kinda neat how you can see one of the branches that broke off and reattached together facing downwards Anyway as of now it seems as though the branches are curving upwards as if they were to continue to grow upwards..I guess time will tell!