ID Help. Please

[Creetin]

Any idea's on what this guy is? The polyps are about half the size of a dime. I just picked this guy up. I liked the contrast.
They are like mini blasto's.

 

[gflat65]

I am going with Favia speciosa.

http://whelk.aims.gov.au/coralsearch/html/101-200/Species pages/158.htm

 

[Creetin]

Thanks!

 

[Creetin]

What about Favites bestae?

 

[mile sq. reefer]

I might venture to say some type of favia species. I would not go with the Favites because the coralites are individual and the walls are not shared.

 

[GMAX]

Micromussa amakusensis? Just a possibility. I would need to study your beautiful coral up close and personal for a few weeks, say in my own display tank to say for sure.

 

[Creetin]

Thanks!! Gmax heres a better pic. What do ya think?

 

[GMAX]

How about a close up pic like that but of the edge with the exposed skeleton?

 

[Creetin]

Sure. Be back in a little bit.
Thanks

 

[Creetin]

I'll try to get a better pic. My good camera is charging right now.
Had to use the old one. Can ya get an idea with this pic?

 

[GMAX]

Is that sand all over it? Fuzzy and unclear and I think the camera is balancing on the white and washing out the skeleton.

 

[Creetin]

I'll pull the coral out of water and get the sand off.
Be back in a few minutes.

 

[Creetin]

Man what a pain i didnt think a sleleton would be this hard to take a pic of.
I'll try one outside. Flash just made it glow. LOL
I seen that this part was buried in sand so i have fresh skeleton.
Good and bad. I need to get some clam shells to place my lps on.

 

[GMAX]

Close enough for me. I am now thinking it is indeed a Favia Speciosa. Look at the skeleton shown in the Whelks link versus your own and see if they are not the same. Porbably a shallow water specimen since the corrallites are so close together.

Very nice coral regardless of genus or species.

 

[Creetin]

Thanks, I know this is a micromussa, What throws me off is the second row of ridges inside the skeleton on the coral in question.
Sorry i couldent get better pics.

 

[Creetin]

Thanks Gmax its a Favia helianthoides, Got it id'ed today.
Thanks for the help.

 

[GMAX]

Well Whelks does say Helianthoides is similar to Speciosa so I was close. Doubt I have ever seen a Helianthoides in person. Whelks photos make it look like a Diplostrea to me for whatever that is worth.

Nice coral regardless of species.

 

[Creetin]

I agree, and yes id does say that in welks. I agree, I bought it on looks alone.
The second row of ridges made it differnt than the speciosa
Thanks