Hydrophora and unknown ID assistance needed

[bwyoung]

I am inheriting several corals from a friend of mine and I am trying to ID them so I can put them in their proper place in my tank.

Any assistance is appreciated for the species (and any care tips)!

These pictures are taken under an actinic and white VHOs + (2) 250W Ushio 10K MH lights.

Unknown #1

Hydrophora Rigida (I believe)

Top Down:

Front

Thank you for your help!

 

[Atomikk]

First one looks like a Montipora undata.

 

[cmjreef]

Monti. confusa?

 

[Atomikk]

My bad, it is a confusa.. There is a slight difference.

 

[bwyoung]

Thanks guys. Confusa it is. I am pleased it is a little bit uncommon.

Does anyone agree that the second coral is a hydrophora rigida?

I will probably have more items to ID shortly. Thanks.

 

[tgcreef]

it is hydno for sure

 

[Kolognekoral]

The first Montpora looks more like M. vietnamensis, than either M. undata (not enough ridges) or M. confusa (lacks the orderly ridge geometry). This genus will always fascinate me in its ability to mutate and fool the would be IDer. Environment plays a huge roll in the growth forms. I would give it good, steady laminar flow in medium to high light.

The second is Hydnophora, but I tend to H. exesa. They are extremely potent stinging corals, so place it well away from others. Adaptable to all environments with good light.

 

[bwyoung]

I think I would have preferred an H. rigida after reading up on the H. exesa! It sounds a bit nasty. Some report 8" sweepers?! I have not seen anything but its small polyps so far. I do have a frag about 3 " in front of it though. If this is really this nasty I will have to segregate it to a corner of the tank. I am just starting my tank out (about 2.5 months since start of rock curing) so everything is easily moveable.

I have it on the top left of my tank currently and the M. vietnamensis just off the center of the tank on the "bridge".

This FTS was from yesterday with only the actinics on so it is a bit purple.

Thank you!

 

[Kolognekoral]

Brian,

all Hydnophora species are strong stingers with long sweepers. I do not keep them due to this, despite their beauty. I have too many acros. If they are kept out of the current, they are less likely to extend long sweepers or, conversely, place them where a light current will always blow the tentacles clear of other corals. You could place the coral on the ground.

 

[bwyoung]

Jamie thanks for the additional info. I am inheriting these from a friend who is moving and giving me all of his livestock. Perhaps this hydro. is why he had issues with many of his other corals flourishing then dying off at times. He couldn't explain it.

I will put it in a corner as you said or sell it. Does it release stingers cells say even if I left in in my fuge? It is a nice piece though...which is unfortunate.

 

[Oldude]

As Jamie said put it on the sandbed where it won't tag your acros, but not beside your open brain. I have a ton of acros and a couple of hydnophoras so I also run carbon to absorb any nasties (scientific lingo) they produce.

 

[Kolognekoral]

Like Greg mentions, it is possible, but the bullies must be seperated from the peaceful classmates. As far as I know, they do not release any particular toxin or nematocysts, but activated carbon should be run in any case. Just good husbandry and prevention.

The more experience you have with corals, the more you will learn about possible aggressive species. Some are well known, but many are still only suspects. Generally, most Favids and Euphyllids can cause problems, but one of the worst and most attractive are the Galaxeas. Regular night-medusas.

 

[bwyoung]

I have been running carbon in a reactor in my sump for good measure.

I have just demoted the hydro. to the lower left corner now and will keep an eye on him. I have yet to catch any sweepers. Will they be as noticeable as my Favia sweepers? They are very pronounced - up to 6" long and 1/16" in dia.

 

[Kolognekoral]

Typically, they are only about 2-4", but this will depend on the corals and the current. You'll see soon enough, I suspect.