Green Sinularia or Nepthea

[Phyxius]

Does anyone know how to precisely tell these apart. I have what was sold to me awhile ago as a green sinularia and it has grown, been fragged and lived a happy life. I have seen pictures here and elsewhere of people selling Nepthea and it looks identical to what I have so I was wondering what the method to know is?? I dont care as what I have is a really nice piece and has better green coloration than in these pics but its more of a curiosity question

 

[saltwaterpimp]

You need to do a bleach test, then examine under a microscope..thats the only way.

SWP

 

[oldreefer76]

take a scraping of the base and bleach and then under a microscope is the only way to identify you need to look at the scerlites (spelling off for sure) to tell the difference

 

[Phyxius]

Like I said I was just curious but it seems like a extensive way to find out which is which.
I like mine and what it is anyways LOL

Thanks for explaining the method to figure out how

 

[saltwaterpimp]

Like I said I was just curious but it seems like a extensive way to find out which is which.
I like mine and what it is anyways LOL

Thanks for explaining the method to figure out how

It's not that hard, nor labor intensive.It takes about 10 min. If you dont have a microscope you can use a high power magnifyng glass. I use the package from a 9volt battery for the specimen, and a few drops of bleach. The tissue will start to dissolve almost instantly.with a shallow container, its easier to get a photo.

 

[InsaneClownFish]

My vote is for hybrid.

 

[Phyxius]

My vote is for hybrid.

That would work LOL
Its a nice piece in my system and its about a ft tall and branches out nicely. The only bad thing is I had it on a rock inside a PVC union to keep it in place long ago and it has since grown around it on the one side. I`ve been too chicken to cut it off but have no issues taking branches off it. The pics do it no justice at all and it glows intensely under actinics. Its one of the first things people ask about when they see it in the tank and then next if I will frag it