Hitchhiker coral ID (Cup coral?) - Gulf Live Rock

[SFREEF3R]

This coral came in as a hitchhiker on my Gulf Live Rock back in April.

I’ve seen it identified as “cup coral” but there are multiple genuses/species for which that name is used - many of which are non photosynthetic.

I’m pretty sure this coral is photosynthetic based on its coloration, the fact that it is growing towards the light, and it has grown quite a bit without direct supplemental feeding.

Anyone have a more specific ID? Sorry the picture isn’t the clearest, I need to photograph at an angle to the glass to see it so the pictures end up a little blurred.

Interestingly, it appears to be propagating. I’ve found a few new patches of 1-2 polyps scattered around the tank now 7 months after introduction.

For scale I'd estimate this patch is about 1.5" top to bottom:

 

[SFREEF3R]

Here's a picture of where it started back in May - came out a little clearer:

 

[SFREEF3R]

A couple of the new babies:

 

[TnFishwater98]

Yep, cup coral if I remember right.

 

[SFREEF3R]

Yep, cup coral if I remember right.

Any idea the genus or species? It seems there are multiple corals called by this name...

 

[TnFishwater98]

Any idea the genus or species? It seems there are multiple corals called by this name...

Just search gulf of mexico cup corals

 

[SFREEF3R]

Just search gulf of mexico cup corals

I did a fair amount of googling before posting here - wasn't able to readily get a reliable ID.

 

[SFREEF3R]

All of the results are overwhelmed by references to Tubastrea Coccinea, an invasive orange cup coral. I’m pretty sure this is different from what I have, though it looks somewhat similar in shape.

Anyone have thoughts on a more specific ID?

 

[TnFishwater98]

All of the results are overwhelmed by references to Tubastrea Coccinea, an invasive orange cup coral. I’m pretty sure this is different from what I have, though it looks somewhat similar in shape.

Anyone have thoughts on a more specific ID?

Your right, not a orange cup

 

[SFREEF3R]

Bump

 

[Casket_Case]

Have you looked at Oculina diffussa? I can't tell if it's branching or encrusting because it's so small...

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Also, is the skeleton that holds the polyps round or oval?

 

[SFREEF3R]

Have you looked at Oculina diffussa? I can't tell if it's branching or encrusting because it's so small...

That could be! Thanks for the suggestion. It does look to be starting to branch potentially, but it's hard to tell if it will continue to grow out vs. encrust. I'll keep monitoring.

Also, is the skeleton that holds the polyps round or oval?

It looks to be round, though it's hard to see clearly due to the fact that I need to view off angle to see based on where it is on the rock.

 

[Gulf Live Rock]

Tube coral, https://gulfliverock.com/hitchhiker-id

 

[vetteguy53081]

To be exact dwarf cup coral

 

[Caseyoidae]

Ivory coral I think. Oculina robusta ?

 

[SFREEF3R]

Oculina looks to have corallites that are similar to my specimen. I may need to to wait for it to grow more to help better identify it.

 

[Gulf Live Rock]

Cladocora arbuscula

 

[SFREEF3R]

Cladocora arbuscula

Ahah! That looks like it. Thanks for the ID