mystery LPS

[RobMcC]

Hi Guys,

any clue what this is? Any ideas? I think its some kind of Cyphastrea, but the polyps are very small and more widely separated/spaced than Cyphastrea photos i have seen, (polyps are approx 1mm across and about 0.3 - 0.7 cm apart).

The coral is doing ok, but isn't thriving, I have recently moved it out of direct light as parts of the coral in the shade appear to be doing very well. Also cyphastrea are supposed to like shade, so i figured it wouldn't hurt.

 

[BlastoEric1589]

well it looks like cyphastrea, its also possible it might be oxypora, though not as likely. Another close possibility is Mycedium. Not being a chalice expert myself, i would stick to cyphastrea, but all three chalices require the same relative care. if you're running anything bigger than 250W halides, then keeping it in more indirect light, or closer to the bottom will probably be better for it, especially seeing as you said it seems to be doing better

 

[Duce]

It could possibly be Echinophora

Regardless it looks like it will grow into a really nice piece

 

[BlastoEric1589]

good suggestion duce

 

[Justin74]

Cyphastrea is the best guess so far IMO, but have never seen one even close to that!! That thing is flippen crazy man:eek1:
Please get a clearer closeup or find someone who can, PLEASE! I've seen a lot of coral, but that's a first for me!

-Justin

 

[RedClay]

I too think its a cyphastrea.

Not exactly the same, but similar to this guy from WWC:
http://www.worldwidecorals.com/proddetail.asp?prod=ppecyphastrea
They call it a PPE cyphastrea, whatever yours is, it looks awesome!

 

[oddballs]

Looks like it could be C Japonica.

 

[BlastoEric1589]

i disagree oddballs... these polyps ar emuch less pronounced and spaced very think compared to chyphastrea japonica

 

[Justin74]

Possibly Cyphastrea microphthalma, heres a couple pics to cross reference structure.

-Justin

 

[Justin74]

Hey Rob, any chance of getting a closer shot?

-Justin