Help needed with ID on this Acropora

[TheCoralReef731]

Please help with the coral on the right, not the cup coral. Thank you!

 

[Mariner]

Not sure what it's called, but I've got one just like it.
Mariner

 

[returnofsid]

I see two corals. One is probably a Turbinaria reinformis, the other is probably an Acropora valida

 

[TheCoralReef731]

Thanks guys. I've always wanted to know the scientific name of it. I just made a few frags of it today and want to provide the name when i trade/sell them.

 

[dvanacker]

I see two corals. One is probably a Turbinaria reinformis, the other is probably an Acropora valida

I agree. A.valida most likely.

 

[staceyd72]

Most likely A.nana, nice colony. I have one that is 16 inches across, grows quite fast.

 

[returnofsid]

Most likely A.nana, nice colony. I have one that is 16 inches across, grows quite fast.

Totally different growth pattern than Acropora nana. It's an A. valida

 

[buy_baff]

Acro Valida

 

[staceyd72]

Totally different growth pattern than Acropora nana. It's an A. valida

Acro Valida

Hi guys,

How do you base the ID that you suggest? I would think growth pattern to be mostly a product of its environment, i.e. lighting and flow, while growth structure would be specific to the species??

The corallite structure is quite similar to that of A. nana. Radials look to be long tubular and appressed, not appressed tightly like A. valida. While the axial corallites appear to be more tubular, as opposed to A. valida having small corallites.

A. nana

Courtesy of AIMS

A. valida

Courtesy of AIMS

Am I missing something?