favia ID questions

[jimsflies]

I've become a more interested in favias-type corals lately and have a few questions relating to the identification of different varieties. One question I have is what is a "prism favia" or "reverse prism favia"? I realize these are likely hobbist terms, but what characteristic differentiates these from a regular favia?

Also as long as we are at it, can we discuss favites and how that is different from favia? Or where does goniastrea fit into this family of corals?

Here's a couple pictures to start off the discussion:

 

[650-IS350]

Is that a baby'sbreath Favia in the middle. Prism on top ???

 

[jimsflies]

The first one was bought as a prism...actually I think it was sold as a reverse prism favia. I'm just trying to figure out what makes it a prism or reverse? Is it the color, the shape? Or is it just a specific reefer name...like ppe?

Not sure what the middle picture is called:

I also have this one:

It's more yellow than the photo shows. Eyes are pink.

 

[ElDiabloPollo]

I believe the coloer makes a prism. From what I can gather the prisim is acid green eyes, purple between the eye and the outter ridge and red/burgandy on the outter ridge.

 

[650-IS350]

I have that one too. the one you just posted.

The pic in the middle, is it yellow/gold center?

 

[jimsflies]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11740325#post11740325 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by delsol650
The pic in the middle, is it yellow/gold center?

I would say they are more of a green/yellow eye. More like an alien eye shade of green.

 

[650-IS350]

You got a RED PRISM FAVIA in the first pic.

 

[650-IS350]

This is the prism I'm getting

http://www.cultivatedcoral.com/prod...d=242&osCsid=2b1e7414999015b0d1928fd658a32b25

 

[skydragon]

NICE FAVIA COLLECTIOM YOU GOT THERE SWEET!!

 

[ArapaimaGiga]

did u guys order favias online or at ur LFS???

 

[skydragon]

WHERE CAN I GET THO IS NICE.

 

[jimsflies]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11744998#post11744998 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by delsol650
This is the prism I'm getting

http://www.cultivatedcoral.com/prod...d=242&osCsid=2b1e7414999015b0d1928fd658a32b25

Mine was supposed to look like that as well. Not sure if it lost some color or I was duped.

 

[jimsflies]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11745349#post11745349 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ArapaimaGiga
did u guys order favias online or at ur LFS???

One of them came from a trade, two online vendors, and one the LFS.

 

[Hormigaquatica]

"Prism Favia" and "Reverse Prism Favia" are simply marketing terms coined by a hobbiest looking to sell some frags- similar to what people started doing with Zoanthids a few years back. The terms have little to do with the actual taxonomy of the animal.

You asked about how Favia, Favites, and Goniastrea fit together. All three of these are genera within the family Faviidae. Faviidae also includes: Australogyra, Barabattoia, Caulastrea, Cladocora, Colpophyllia, Cyphastrea, Diploastrea, Diploria, Echinopora, Erythrastrea, Leptastrea, Leptoria, Manicina, Montastrea, Moseleya, Oulastrea, Oulophyllia, Parasimplastrea, Platygyra, Plesiastrea, Solenastrea, and probably a few more that I cant come up with at the moment.

The difference between all of those genera is how the polyps are arranged/shaped. You asked the difference between Favia and Favites; the easiest trait to recognize is that the polyps of Favia are independent of one another, where as with Favites the polyps share a common wall with eachother. Goniastrea has a different pattern of polyps altogether.

Unless you are very familiar with the different structures of Faviids, its essentially impossible to tell a species with certainty- its often impossible to tell even the genus. For example, its really easy to mix up some Platygyra and Goniastrea. If you really want to look through them, and familiarize yourself with the group, wander around THIS PAGE . Its a great reference site. Hope that wasnt a lot more than you were looking for..lol

 

[650-IS350]

LOL, that answer Hormigaquatica, sounds like something from a book.

 

[Hormigaquatica]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11756580#post11756580 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by delsol650
LOL, that answer Hormigaquatica, sounds like something from a book.

LOL... hmm, sorry

 

[madamo]

What is the fair market value for one of those reverse prism favia. I have a 5 inch oval shapped favia. It has approximately 40 heads on it.

Thanks.

 

[650-IS350]

Madamo, hook me up bro.

 

[Sheol]

Nice.. & post those on the Favia thread.
There is a site run by Veron on coral Ids ( all genera, all species).
Lost that link though since I switched my AOL account with my new PC.

Matthew

 

[stewart1019]

I like that last one. The zoas are nice too.