Help with an Softie I.D.

[Tazbader]

Anyone know what species this is? I'm guessing a Xenia-type. It doesn't pulse and doesn't retract. But it sure is pretty. I was told it was easy to grow, and I do have a few small frags to part out. If it is a Xenia it is definitely my new favorite!!!

 

[Meisen]

Looks like some species of Anthelia to me. It has stalks and what looks like a stolon so that at least doesnt rule it out.

 

[phljess]

Can you get a picture of it in water? I think it may also be a type of anthelia.

 

[MattG]

I'm fairly confident its an anthelia species based on it looks monomorphic, has stolons, non contractile and has pinnules. Also, the color definitely resembles an anthelia species. I guess if you want to be sure you can always look at the sclerites under a scope. Probably not worth the hassle though

For anyone interested in softcoral ID a great book is "Soft corals and sea fans" by alderslade and fabricus.

 

[Tazbader]

It is in water Phil.......

 

[coralreefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12189856#post12189856 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tazbader
It is in water Phil.......

Out of your hand swaying in the current then. :lol:
It does seem to be a pretty piece.
Another vote for anthelia species for the same reasons Matt gave. Hi Matt!

 

[firefish2020]

Giant Anthelia. Most of it originated in our area several years back after I aquired a single head from GARF, it quickly grew into forests which were fragged out, traded, sold, given away etc.

 

[phljess]

Yep, that is what I meant in current so we can see what it looks like in natural movement. Looks like a cool find.

 

[Tazbader]

OK here are some more pics, some in hand with it flapping in the breeze, some laying in the substrate w/o a flash.... I also threw in a couple of neato shots that I just happened to catch. Yes the linkia is about 8 or 9 inches.. no he is not staying there.... he's for my anemone tank.........

 

[Tazbader]

I'm not sold on the "Giant Anthelia" name mainly because all that I see on the internet is the giant "Feather" anthelia. It looks way different, in that the fingers look like feathers rather than these twisted nobby projections. Also, this piece glows with a metallic blue-silver color and has nearly no trace of brown in it at all. I guess the main thing I can't get over is how different the polyp fingers are... elongate and fleshy not feathery like any other xeniid I have found on the net......

 

[firefish2020]

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1931&articleid=2379

There are many color morphs of the same coral, all can depend on lighting and nutrients in the water column.

 

[Tazbader]

I still have 2 frags of this left and the regular giant anthelia left if anyone is interested......

 

[LtPiper]

I'd be interested in this one.

 

[odoprelude]

I would be as well.. how much?

 

[Tazbader]

One "Dreadlock" Giant Anthelia frag left...........