Favia or Platygra? Which is it.

[watchguy123]

I am pretty sure the favia pictured below is just that a favia but it seems to hint at being a platygra. Anyone have any thoughts on how to differentiate between the two. It is sitting on a three inch disk for size reference. Anyway, I think it is a favia, but would welcome input. Wolverine Paw favias and others seem to have a similar growth pattern where large polyps(?) develop and then a divider seems to creep in to reduce the size of the polyp(?) to the size of the other polyps within the colony. It is that growing edge that I find confusing.

 

[Billldg]

I'm gonna say that's a favia. I see what you are referring to though. Tough call. Every platy that I have had will grow a long polpy and then divide, while a favia seems to keep their individuality when then grow.

 

[DSC reef]

IMO, favia.

 

[C. Eymann]

LPS isnt my strong suit, it does look like favia to me too, but I'd also consider goniastrea as a possibly as well maybe? some favias like dragon's soul favia is actually goniastrea.

 

[C. Eymann]

Had this pop up after googling- red goniastrea

 

[Hermie]

Honestly I think OP's is a platygyra, I was going based on photos and info from coralsoftheworld.com but that site keeps crashing my internet for some crazy reason! Unless it's just a coincidence, my LAN adapter keeps malfunctioning when I try to load the page... might be something weird the ISP is doing that's kicking my PC off the LAN when I try to get that site...

Edit: on second thought, my point is that I don't think it's a favia, but like C. Eymann said, it could be goniastrea

a platygyra acuta picture from their site,

 

[C. Eymann]

Honestly I think OP's is a platygyra, I was going based on photos and info from coralsoftheworld.com but that site keeps crashing my internet for some crazy reason! Unless it's just a coincidence, my LAN adapter keeps malfunctioning when I try to load the page... might be something weird the ISP is doing that's kicking my PC off the LAN when I try to get that site...

Edit: on second thought, my point is that I don't think it's a favia, but like C. Eymann said, it could be goniastrea

a platygyra acuta picture from their site,

the septal pattern I think you meant to point out there via the blue line, that's pretty dang close. I'd be in agreement with it.

 

[DSC reef]

Corals can be so confusing to ID sometimes, especially favias, platygyra, ect. Here's a platygyra I had in the reef tank.

 

[Hermie]

a platygyra

Corals can be so confusing to ID sometimes, especially favias, platygyra, ect. Here's a platygyra I had in the reef tank.

she's a beauty

 

[C. Eymann]

Closed brains are one of my favorite LPS corals @DSC reef beautiful piece !

 

[DSC reef]

a platygyra

she's a beauty

That is awesome! Flat out like a lizard drinking! Thanks guys

 

[watchguy123]

Well I am pretty sure it is a favia. And it is confusing . Here are some other favias, that are definitely favias but have the strange septa develop to make each section, polyp or whatever they are called divided and smaller and more favia like. All the pictures below are on three inch disks.

Wolverine paw favia

Z's USC favia

JF Goldrush Favia

Bottomline, I believe you need to look at the whole structure as opposed to just the leading edge of growth because you can be confused. Still find it weird. Species id is definitely not my strength