Darth Maul Porites
I think this is one of the all time under-rated sps. Yes its weird partly because it encrusts vs branching and I find branching so much more exciting. But the colors are amazing. It grows super slow as well. Hardly ever see a frag for sale probably because of slow growth. Yet the price for a frag is usually around $40 or $50 which I think is reasonable for a knock out sps.
I just had a phosphate spike which I don't understand the genesis of. No dead fish, no over feeding ( I was on vacation and someone else was feeding the tank for 4 or 5 days--so maybe). Amazingly, all the corals are exhibiting crazy polyp extension including this darth maul porite and its in the middle of my lighting schedule. I have seen extended polyps on this coral only at night with lights out. It was challenging getting a picture because I have it placed on a vertical rock branch. Anyway, I find this is an unusual episode of polyp extension in this sps during daylight. They have been out all day long now. Fascinating what we reefers get excited about.
