Does anyone know anything about this coral?

speckled trout

New member
I purchased this coral and haven't been able to find a pic or description of it in any book. I checked carefully in Eric's book on coral husbandry and didn't find anything that looked like it.

I assume it's an LPS, am I wrong? So far, I've discovered it prefers a moderate alternating current and quite a bit of light. Other than that, I don't know anything else.

37702unknown_coral.jpg
 
pagoda cup which is a turbinaria, medium high light moderate flow
hope that gives you an idea on placement
Duds
 
I agree with Hydnophora or Merulina. Look at it when pollyps are retracted and check for conical-like mounds (hydnophores). Skeleton appears too brittle/thin for Turbinaria (esp. peltata). My inclination (b/c polyps are so "bushy") is to say it is probably Hydnophora.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8322575#post8322575 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Conky
I agree with Hydnophora or Merulina. Look at it when pollyps are retracted and check for conical-like mounds (hydnophores). Skeleton appears too brittle/thin for Turbinaria (esp. peltata). My inclination (b/c polyps are so "bushy") is to say it is probably Hydnophora.

I'd say: H. microconos to be exact :D
 
Does it look "satisfied" at its current location?

Is it aggressive? Should I avoid contact or close placement with other corals?

Thanks guys-Mike
 
It looks quite happy where it is, judging from the polyp extension. Definitly avoid close contact- Hydnophora is notoriously aggressive- if it decides to fight with another coral, its almost guaranteed to win.
 
No real "sweeper" tenticles, however they grow so darn fast you need to give them a lot of room. It's also a very forgiving coral.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8333349#post8333349 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Freed
I thought Hydnophora was well known for having extremely long sweeper tentacles at night?

Right... theyve got nasty sweepers, and if I remember right, they are prone to ejecting their mesenterial filaments into the water column- they fall onto other nearby corals and pretty much remote-digest them... good stuff :D
 
I haven't had any problems with nearby corals being "digested" so to speak. Should I be worried?

Is it nastier than galaxia when it sends out sweepers?
 
The digestion thing is pretty uncommon IME- stinging the devil out of everything within 6-8 inches though is not.

I think its more aggressive than Galaxea. Ive never had a problem with either of my Galaxea colonies actually, though the amount that those use their sweepers varys from one tank to the next (water current speed, etc).
 
You guys might be right about the sweeper tenticles, however in the 3 years that I've had mine I have yet to see one. I guess I should have said IME.
 
There are many types of Hydnophora...The one in your pic is probably "H. Pilosa"
The branching varity "H. Grandis" has the nasty sweepers...Pilosa
(i think), does not. I could be wrong but I doubt it? :rolleyes:
If it does I've never seen 'em on mine! (my favorite coral)
It looks like a great big purple and turquoise shag carpet with actinics!!
Heres a shot of my monster - all 9 inches! :D
127214H_Pilosa.jpg
 
wow that is big. I used to have a neon green branching Hydnophora but I lost my entire livestocks due a kalkwasser dissater.
 
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