Acan ID

[jeremym420]

Just picked up this one. Its about the size of a 50 cent piece. I want to say maxima, but don't want to get in trouble with the Acan police

 

[jansenwrasse]

Got a pic of the bottom?

From the looks of the septal teeth it looks more like a cynarina ... personally...

I would hope Randy O would post on this one!

 

[jeremym420]

Yah Randy is who i was refering to when i said Acan police I looked around online at "maximas" and saw a lot of pictures that look identical to this piece, but i know true maximas are rarely ever seen.

 

[jansenwrasse]

Flesh makes I'd's very difficult. The best is hands on visual of a dead polyp. corals are Identified by skeletal structure.

Its a nice coral BTW. Don't be disappointed if it is or is not!

 

[jeremym420]

Here's another pic of it a bit more extended and some skeleton.

 

[RandyO]

In my opinion, what you have there is a Scolymia Australis.

Some info taken from the whelk.aims coral ID website.

Scolymia australis:
Characters: Usually solitary but sometimes two to four centres occur in one corallite, or occasionally in separate corallites. Corallites are saucer-shaped and less than 60 millimetres diameter. Septa are sturdy with blunt saw-like teeth. Colour: Colourful, usually mixtures of cream, red, blue and green.

It's distribution

I do not think your coral is an Acanthastrea maxima.

Also taken from the whelk site.

A.maxima:
Characters: Colonies are cerioid with corallites up to 50 millimetres diameter. Septa are coarsely toothed. Polyps have a fleshy mantle up to 100 millimetres diameter and with a Lobophylliaâ€"œlike texture. Colour: Green, grey or brown. Similar species: Symphyllia wilsoni. The fleshy mantles are more extensive than those of any other Acanthastrea. Acanthastrea ishigakiensis has slightly smaller polyps. Habitat: Known only from moderately deep, turbid water. Abundance: Rare.

It's distribution

It's only found in Oman waters, where no export is legal.

In my opinion, there are no true Acan maxima's in the US. But I see corals being called Maximas every day. I've even received a transhipement of corals from Indonesia, and one of the corals scientific names on the box, (which has to pass through customs), was called Acanthastrea maxima.
Needless to say, it's not.

 

[jeremym420]

Hey Randy, i was guessing it wasn't but thanks for the conformation. For the price i paid, i was willing to grab it anyways.

 

[RandyO]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12689965#post12689965 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jeremym420
Hey Randy, i was guessing it wasn't but thanks for the conformation. For the price i paid, i was willing to grab it anyways.

I've got two or three just like that one. I would guess you paid in the neighborhood of 60.00 for it.

Here's my collection of Scolymia australis

 

[jeremym420]

Yep

 

[RandyO]

 

[jeremym420]

Very nice stuff Randy. Gotta love the aussie corals

 

[Willistein]

i'm sorry, those are just ridiculous...

 

[jeremym420]

Yeah, Randy likes to show off He has some amazing corals. How about posting a few shots of your prize acans Randy.

 

[razzmatazz]

OK Randy it is time to have a raffle on those looks like you have to many in there :eek1: For us Southern Tiers ONLY :eek1:Since everone up your way has some. Aside from that they are no words to describe them. Some day I would love to get up and see some of your corals in person.

 

[jansenwrasse]

Thanks Randy!

 

[RyanEG]

Razzmatazz, A Reef Creation is well...WELL worth the trip no matter how far away you are coming from!

 

[razzmatazz]

I would never make it there with any money and no fun just to look. I understand I would need at least a grand min for there No way in heck could I walk out with just one thing.

 

[RandyO]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12693142#post12693142 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jeremym420
How about posting a few shots of your prize acans Randy.

Nahh, everybody must be tired of seeing them by now.

 

[Brent Thomann]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12697307#post12697307 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RandyO
Nahh, everybody must be tired of seeing them by now.

never, its in our blood!

 

[tmz]

Great collection Randy. Nice reference photos too. Look like" Corals of the World "shots. It looks like an australis to me. I have one with two heads about the same color.