Unknown Tabling Tri-Color??

[benihana]

Got this a while back, thought it died but left it in my FT. Then a few months later I started to see growth! About 6 months after I saw growth I moved it to my DT and it browned out. It has now regained its vivid color and is growing strong. Here are all of the pics I have in my photobucket account

Any idea what acro species it is?

 

[evsalty]

With the brown polyps I am going to say nana but I have not seen any that table like that before. It maybe just tabling as of now as it looks like many shoots are pointing upwards.

 

[n8ureman]

I think what you have is A. efflorescens. The raised coralites seem to be more prominent in captive specimens from what I have seen.

Here is a pic from Vernon that shows (to a lesser extent the random raised coralites, and same fused table.)
Hope this helps.

 

[benihana]

Really? Based on the outer growth pattern, I had ruled out Efflo/Soli. On the captive Efflo's you have seen, what has the outer growth pattern looked like? Similar to the pic you posted?

 

[n8ureman]

Yeah even in the wild it can grow an uneven ( and un-platelike) edge.
That picture was from Vernon.
Here are two more to show you what I mean. First a nice even edge (I think this is what most people imagine efflorescens to look like)

And now one that looks more like your coral.

Both are efflorescens, it just a matter of what conditions the coral happens to be growing in.
Hope this helps.

 

[franklypre]

valida maybe, nice coral any way it goes

 

[Piper27]

I would say efflo, my valida is thinner and not as clustered.

 

[benihana]

what about A. Willisae???? - http://www.sdmas.com/corals/80.php

This seems a lot closer to what I posted....thoughts????

 

[n8ureman]

what about A. Willisae???? - http://www.sdmas.com/corals/80.php

This seems a lot closer to what I posted....thoughts????

After looking at the picture you posted compared to the pictures Vernon has of willisae I have to say they do look a lot alike. What I would say is to watch the leading growth edge, if the branchlets remain that well developed I would confer with you that it is in fact willisae. Good detective work BTW!! I'm putting together a personal database, in order to simplify the process of identifying Acropora, so I know that wasn't easy!

 

[benihana]

Yeah, not easy, but kind of fun. I will definately keep an eye on the leading edge. Thanks again for all of the help and input

 

[n8ureman]

Yeah, not easy, but kind of fun. I will definately keep an eye on the leading edge. Thanks again for all of the help and input

No problem. Anytime I can use my obsession with Vernon's work to help someone else I enjoy doing so! LOL! Yeah I agree it is kinda fun especially when you finally narrow it down and get a species name for your coral because then you have what you need to make it happy ( by knowing what habitat that particular species prefers.) :beer: