Identification Help

[harrisgunter]

Hi,

I need help identifying the two LPS corals here. I no longer have the purchase receipts for these and do not have the knowledge to identify on my own. I believe the farther back one next to the gsp to be a Montastrea or a Cyphastrea. The closer one (on the same rock with Palythoas and Xenia) I believe to be something similar.

Tank is the original biocube 14 with the “Coralife LED BioCube Aquarium Replacement Canopy, Size 14/16” for lighting. Yes I currently have a green bubble algae and Vermetidae problem. The only occupant has been an Ocellaris Clownfish and limited CUC. A Pitho crab has been introduced at start of 2026 to help with bubble algae. (Who I now suspect to be deceased). Considering purchasing 2-3 Bumble Bee Snail for this tank as well for vermetid snails.

Another topic for discussion but tank has received no water changes for ~6 months with Phosphate: 0.03ppm and Nitrate undetectable. Why am I still having such issues with GBA?

 

[tbrown]

Purple one is probably a Psammacora.

I assume the other one you're asking about is the yellow one? Better picture is needed on that one.

@thamnasteroid am I right on that first one?

 

[thamnasteroid]

Purple one is probably a Psammacora.

I assume the other one you're asking about is the yellow one? Better picture is needed on that one.

@thamnasteroid am I right on that first one?

more likely a closed-up Leptastrea (distantly distantlu related) but would need a better photo to ID

 

[StartingATank]

I think that the yellow one could be a lepto but I can’t really tell. Would need a better pic

 

[harrisgunter]

Are you able to tell with these photos?

 

[tbrown]

Does the yellow have a skeleton or is it soft?

 

[19Mateo83]

# 2 is a watermelon psammacora

 

[harrisgunter]

It is definitely of the encrusting variety. I think Leptastrea is correct! I have been trying to increase alkalinity and think I dosed a little too much over the past two days trying to raise 2 dkh. Going to let it sit for a week and hope it opens back up.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[harrisgunter]

# 2 is a watermelon psammacora

Great callout thanks!