Can anyone ID this acropora?

[Acrotrdco]

Anyone know what species this is? It came as a small frag growing on a colony of a different species acropora I've bought, and have slowly grow to this size, but I've never seen anything like this before.

Toothbrush like polyps

Thanks.

 

[buy_baff]

No idea never seen anything like it. Looks cool though.

 

[Thairun]

It look like fire coral to me.
Fire Corals are a common problem when diving on coral reefs. They look like normal type corals, but can deliver a substantial sting when brushed with bare soft skin. So be careful.
It has a protective calcareous skeleton with powerful stinging cells or nematocysts that release toxins.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=131651&stc=1&d=1289376950

Anyway your quary is indeed very cool, where you got it?

 

[Acrotrdco]

Thanks Thairun,

Do you think I should get rid of it then?

It came with another colony of acropora's I've bought about 10 months ago, as a very small frag attached to the bottom of the base rock, I snapped it off and attached it to the live rock with epoxy and it's since then slowly grow to this size / shape.

 

[Thairun]

I have no position to advise as I never have chance to keep them. Decision is yours, think due to the nice color morph there I keep them with caution. They are from Hydrozoans family come in red, blue, purple, orange most common brown. Do read this article for your consideration.

http://ibmi.mf.uni-lj.si/acta-apa/acta-apa-01-1/4-clanek.html

 

[Acrotrdco]

Ok thanks again Thairun - mine is a dull brown, and I doubt it'll ever morph to the more colorful ones, and the risk of getting stung isn't fun at all. I'll see what I can do about it

 

[Softhammer]

Keep that guy but keep it mounted on its own rock. If left unchecked it will literally overgrow your entire tank!

 

[bobbyboussy]

i would touch it to see if you get stung than you will know for sure hahahah

 

[Acrotrdco]

Keep that guy but keep it mounted on its own rock. If left unchecked it will literally overgrow your entire tank!

Nod - I'm swapping to a new tank soon, so I'll snap it off from the live rock during the move, and transfer it to a frag stand, then cover the remaining base with epoxy.

i would touch it to see if you get stung than you will know for sure hahahah

Haha no thanks :lolspin:

 

[Western_reefer]

I have no position to advise as I never have chance to keep them. Decision is yours, think due to the nice color morph there I keep them with caution. They are from Hydrozoans family come in red, blue, purple, orange most common brown. Do read this article for your consideration.

http://ibmi.mf.uni-lj.si/acta-apa/acta-apa-01-1/4-clanek.html

If I may ask, where can I get a red, blue, purple or orange morph?

 

[Thairun]

If I may ask, where can I get a red, blue, purple or orange morph?

My LSF did bring in the colorful morph looked like fire coral last 2 weeks but they call them ausie lace coral. Goggled thru I discovered both of them are from same family of Hydrocoral but I believed of different species. Thought of the same capability of stinging I try avoid buying one. Wish I have snapped a photo of the colorful coral.

 

[Western_reefer]

My LSF did bring in the colorful morph looked like fire coral last 2 weeks but they call them ausie lace coral. Goggled thru I discovered both of them are from same family of Hydrocoral but I believed of different species. Thought of the same capability of stinging I try avoid buying one. Wish I have snapped a photo of the colorful coral.

Aussie Lace Coral is a Distichopora. Distichopora is a 100% Non-Photosynthetic coral, EXTREMELY difficult to keep alive. When they die, they still have/keep their bright colors. So, its kind of hard to tell if they are alive or not. More info about them is found here.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=555

 

[Thairun]

Lace/ Fire coral

Lace/ Fire coral

Thanks dude, great link. Now am aware of this two species. Have this specific link especially for you Acrotrdco, which may help.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1542151&highlight=distichopora

At least have an addition to my collection list. A lace coral:thumbsup: in my refuge 2.5 cube.

 

[Softhammer]

I have seen many colonies of Distichopora and Stylaster come into to dealers and 99% percent of them have been DOA. Then then are sold dead to some unsuspecting schmuck that doesn't realize that their calcite skeleton maintains its color when dead. Be very careful if buying these. Very very likely that you will pay 90+ bucks for a super colorful piece of sump rubble. Also note, algae can not and will not grow on live specimens. Buyers beware!