ID this sps

[TheHoove]

So about 4-6 years ago, this came as a hitch hiker on some live rock. Its been slowly encrusting over the years, and now with new lights and tank and such, its starting upright growth. Just curious what it may be.

 

[returnofsid]

Blue Ridge Coral (Heliopora coerulea). While often confused with an SPS coral, it's actually an Octocoral. It's also unique in that it's thought to be one of the oldest corals alive. It's believed that it survived the last ice age, that no other coral survived.

 

[TheHoove]

Thanks. I just assumed SPS. Looked it up. It looks right. I always wondered why I never saw continous polyp extension, but had good growth. Seems its common for these corals to not be extended all the time?