Help with coral ID

[plopezmd]

I am not sure if this is the right forum to post this on, but I would like help on identifying if this is an SPS coral. I purchased this rock about 5 months ago, along with some other live rock. At first I thought that it was an interesting shape, but the center purple/blue portion was only about 1/4" tall. I noticed that it has grown to about 1/2" tall, and the coralline algae has matured around it. Can someone please tell me what this is?

Actual size of specimen.

Tank parameters as of today:

Temp 78.1F
pH 8.0
Ammonia 0.0
Nitrite 0.0
Nitrate 0.0
Magnesium 1420
Alkalinity 8.5 dKh
Calcium 421

I have the Orbit Loop Pro 48" (x2) light system. I had a black box at the beginning, but switched to these about 4 months ago. Since then, the coral growth has been greatly increased.


Thanks in advance,


Paul

 

[C. Eymann]

Looks like a type of branching bryozoa

 

[plopezmd]

Thanks for the response. Is this something that is beneficial to the tank, or is it considered a nuisance? I searched for information on bryozoa, but none suggests as to how beneficial they are in an aquarium. Is this a coral? I ask because am relatively inexperienced with corals.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

That’s pretty cool, especially if it’s still alive.

 

[plopezmd]

That’s pretty cool, especially if it’s still alive.

Yes, it is very alive and growing. My 2 basic questions are:

1. If it is Bryozoa, is it beneficial or not to the aquarium?
2. If it is not Bryozoa, then what is it?