Lets ID the Purple Monster

[Atomikk]

We all know by now what it is, but many have no idea what species of Acropora it is.

So lets start guessing:


I think its A. maryae
http://data.aims.gov.au/coralpages/HTML/801-900/Species pages/811.htm

 

[schminksbro]

I have read on more than one occasion that it is A. valida.

 

[Atomikk]

But it doesn't resemble a valida in any way. Especially if you look at the corallite formation on a valida, in comparison to a maryae.

Read my take here:

http://blog.fragd.it/2009/08/11/identifying-designer-corals-the-purple-monster/

 

[schminksbro]

http://www.reeffarmers.com/limitedpurplemonstor.htm

 

[Atomikk]

Yeah that last link is old and, in my opinion, innacurate. A valida has corallites that are completely different that those in The Purple Monster. Therefore, how can it be a A. valida?

Here is how valida's radial corallites look like from AIMS's site:

"Radial corallites are usually a mixture of sizes and are strongly appressed and swollen, with small openings"

Are any corallites on the Purple Monster swollen? I don't see any.

 

[schminksbro]

First off I am no expert on identification. lol But how do you define something as vague as swollen coralites? I do have to say that I love the idea of identifying highend named corals. Hats off to ya.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15525828#post15525828 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Atomikk
Yeah that last link is old and, in my opinion, innacurate. A valida has corallites that are completely different that those in The Purple Monster. Therefore, how can it be a A. valida?

Here is how valida's radial corallites look like from AIMS's site:

"Radial corallites are usually a mixture of sizes and are strongly appressed and swollen, with small openings"

Are any corallites on the Purple Monster swollen? I don't see any.

 

[JackKerouac]

I agree with atomikk it doesn't look like a valida to me either.

 

[Atomikk]

When looking at a coral, I always want to know the ID first, then the designer name. But a lot of times in this hobby, you will know the latter first.

As for the swollen description, I can assume that they mean thicker walled corralites with smaller corallite openings. One that the Purple Monster doesn't have.

 

[fishkid6692]

why did LA lable it as a false purple monster. it looks the same to me just lighter purple.

 

[ChurchBoy]

I have to agree w/ Atomikk the A. maryae is a better fit than the valida. I've had the Tyree Purple Monster & Valida & they look nothing alike. The closest thing is the Eddie's Purple Monster that I've seen Eddie Hanson distribute, but that's a lokani.

 

[dots]

Which one are you trying to ID, there are a "few" PM's that are called the "Purple Monster"......

There was a Solomon, Fiji.......etc. I would try to find a picture of a "mature" one only they don't seem to last that long in captivity and all fade away when they get larger.....

But yeah I don't think that the Tyree Purple Monster is a Valida either....

But the "Purple Unknown" I am fairly sure is a plain 'ol nana.

I have the EPM, if you need a picture of it........and have a picture of the "Unknown"....it was ugly and I got rid of it.

 

[Atomikk]

dots, that would be awesome.

 

[dots]

30K Lokani

Eddies Purple Monster

You can see what I meant about getting a mature example, as seen by my Eddies. One may think it would be completly different as what it looks today. I posted my 30K lokani picture, which looks the same morphology wise today, yet the Eddies has changed significantly despite not being moved.


BTW I take great pride in the fact my pictures are horrible, please excuse them.....

Caveat: I have seen the Eddies different colors than mine. I have mine high in the tank and has taken on a green irridecent, almost black looking hue these days and it beside my Bali Tri Color, which is an obvious "purple" as we will most likely agree on.