Gorgonian (or whatever) ID and care

[noy]

Came across this coral at the LFS today. Not the best of shape but rather unique.

Looks like a gorgonian but the polyps look like something from the Cirrhipathes genus - just can't tell whether polyps will extend in a octocoral form (yet).

If anyone has experience with one of these any suggestions on care would be great.


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Under actinics

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Close up polyp shots

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[noy]

Got full extension now... definitely not a gorgonian.


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[coltrref]

Hi Noy

possibly if it is a genus of coral Cirrhipathes

but there is the possibility that it is a jasminisis?

 

[noy]

Hi Noy

possibly if it is a genus of coral Cirrhipathes

but there is the possibility that it is a jasminisis?

I would only wish - I have never seen a jasminisis or any deep-water octocoral before. But this specimen lacks the segmented (bamboo) growth. It superficially resembles Lepidisis and Keratoisis.

I think the key is the polyp configuration and that they are not the typical octocoral formation - they are single tentacle polyps which would make it a hexacorallia (such as cirrhipathes).

 

[hypostatic]

Looks sorta like wire coral?

 

[hypostatic]

Looks sorta like wire coral?

 

[Nemato]

Noy! If you haven't already an id I'll suggest you to take a look at the gen. Antipathes. They have the same polyps as Cirripathes but form bushy colonies such as gorgs.

Regards!

 

[noy]

Interesting - never thought of that genus (Antipathes).

I got the following from a non-scientific site

Antipathes corals exhibit very diverse morphology; colonies can be sparsely or densely branched or bushy, with branches of varying length, arranged irregularly or with bilateral symmetry. Species also differ in their colour; the living tissue may be black, red, orange, brown, green, yellow, or white (2). Each polyp possess six, non-retractable tentacles that are armed with stinging cells.

If that is the case - i think i would to rule it out because this coral is more like a cirrhipathes in the polyp configuration - its definitely not tentacle oriented polyps. I have to say though from the photos it sure looks like it could be a antipathes.

Its actually doing very well in the gorg tank.