A strange coral

[RCS]

I picked up a new piece tonight...and to be honest, I have no idea what it is! The store had it labeled as a Montipora sp. and the salesperson I spoke to said they weren't quite sure but that was their best bet.

The polyps on this are small in the grand scheme of things, but I would estimate they're around 1/8" or slighty larger in diameter. If this is a montipora, they're the largest polyps I've ever seen on one. My first thought was it was actually an encrusting Goniopora or Alveopora sp., but after they got the polyps to retract, I was even more confused, as it definitely did appear to be a Montipora. All in all, the thing looks like a Porites (very smooth encrusting skeleton with pretty symmetrical corallites it would appear) with huge polyps.

It's currently brown, but hopefully it will color up, and I'll try to take some pictures tomorrow. Anybody have any guesses on what it is?

 

[LeftCoast]

Montipora! :lmao: I'm just kidding....pics will help. Be sure to take a pic of the polyps extended and retracted.

zack

 

[cee]

Astreopora sp.? Cyphastrea sp.? I've got one of each in my tank. Search by it and see what you come up with.

Dave

 

[gflat65]

Id throw Porites in with Dave's suggestions. I have seen some pretty large polyped Porites...

 

[RCS]

This was the only one they had. I do think it is a Montipora...it's got the potential to color into an orange base, as the polyps appear to be turning green already. Crossing my fingers!

 

[cee]

Hmmm, doesn't look like any polyps I've ever seen on a monti. There're virtually no tentacles on the polyps. Kinda reminds me of an encrusting goniopora I had awhile back, esp. with that polyp extension I see in photo #2. However, I'd be more inclined to lean towards Alveopora due to lack of tentacles. Try A. spongiosa, A. daedalea, or A. excelsa. W/o the corallite structure, that's the best I can do.

Dave

 

[RCS]

Now that I'm looking closer, there are definitely 12 tentacles on the polyps, so I'll have to agree and say it's an Alveopora. Definitely something along the lines of the A. spongiosa, possibly A. Minuta or A. viridis.

It's doing well so far. I won't worry about it too much, as I tend to have good results with Goniopora. I'll post any new pics I can get...I'll see if I can get some of the corallites, as there was definitely some tissue recession at the store.