Mature Hawkins Enchinata colony

[dutch27]

Anyone have a pic of one? I always see pics of frags. I picked up a few ORA pieces not terribly long ago - tri-color valida, purple plasma, enchinata, and bellina - and the Enchinata and Bellina have become some of my new favorite pieces. Tri-color has been the fastest growing, but came from an established colony from a local hobbyist, the rest came right from ORA.

If you have a mature colony of Enchinata or Bellina, let's see a pic! The Enchinata looks like it'll have an interesting structure was it gets larger. I just wish the polyps would come out when the lights are on.

 

[flyyyguy]

not the best pic.....

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

The green leather behind it is over 12" across

 

[basser1]

Here's a top-down shot of my colony.

 

[SDguy]

Mine isn't very large yet, but is a good example of dense growth due to high flow:

 

[Jarred1]

what color is this coral when your lights go out?

 

[SDguy]

Black, because I can't see in the dark

But with a flashlight, same as with the lights on. Blue/green with purply tips.

 

[29reef]

Peter, it's interesting that you say high flow is hampering the extension of the coralite growth. In my case I think the high flow is helping to elongate the growth tips and coralites. I don't know what your high flow is but mine is about 12" in front of a 6060 and seems to like it better there in direct flow.

Here's an old photo... Not very large yet.

 

[SDguy]

Mine started out like yours...but after a few years, not only is the growth dense, but it "bends" with the flow. The couple branches coming out from the side of the colony opposite from where the flow hits are classic long coralite branches. I'm pretty certain flow is the reason for the dense growth on mine...but of course we can never be 100% certain

 

[29reef]

Ever try trimming it? Maybe getting some more open space would allow the coral to look more "normal".

Sorry to be so off topic...

 

[flyyyguy]

ya SDguy.......yours looks like such crap, all deformed and such you should really try to fix it.....................

 

[29reef]

ya SDguy.......yours looks like such crap, all deformed and such you should really try to fix it.....................

I'm wondering if he's ever tried to see if it would grow differently. Surely I'm not the only one here that has messed with cutting and placement of sps?

 

[SDguy]

Oh, I don't mind the look. I've got a couple more frags of a very similar coral that grow less dense, so I'm happy with those. I do actually trim a few acros to form certain shapes. I'll have to snap some pics once my camera comes back from repair.

 

[dutch27]

Great pics everyone, thanks!

Stanley - I've always heard leathers and SPS don't play nice together? I guess you clearly don't have any issues keeping the two together?

 

[Ostentum]

Definitely going to add this one to the tank along with the pearlberry

 

[klepto]

Oh, I don't mind the look.

I was thinking the same thing. Matter of fact, I prefer the way your colony has grown out. I love when Acroporids get all dense like that. Not to mention the screaming color you've got on that thing Peter.. :crazy1:
What type of PAR values/generalized intensity do you have your colony in Peter?

 

[SDguy]

Thanks! Around 400-450 I think? Based on this super old picture... And then comparing it to a more up to date picture.

You can see it in the right top corner:

 

[EvMiBo]

I wouldn't consider my hawkins a colony yet. but it's definitely one of my favorites. PE at night is very good (not out during daytime). I also see them coming out or going back in at dawn and dusk. Really nice coral.

fwiw my coloration is very similar to flyyyguy's.

 

[rigleautomotive]

Peter, i think yours looks awesome and very natural.I do not buy that this is a Echinata and the dense growth may be a natural formation under certain conditions for a Turaki or Speciosa or whatever the Hawkins may be.Either way I love this coral and its deep blues and greens.Heres mine

 

[seminolecpa]

Pic is about 6 months only so it is much bigger now

about 6-7 inches wide or so