Is this hitch hiker acro?

[PeterEde]

If so how to keep it growing
This is day 7 of a new tank cycling. Majority of life from live rock has survived

 

[blaxsun]

They actually look like some kind of feather duster.

 

[mdb_talon]

I am guessing some variety of tubastrea.

 

[C. Eymann]

Where did you get the rock? if its cultured rock from Caribbean/ Atlantic only three species of Acropora exist there, A. palmata, A. cervicornis and a hybrid of the two A. prolifera

It is possible, but more than likely something like cladocora which is common on Atlantic rock.

Btw how big is this growth? looks like it might be smaller than the size of a nickel or dime? if so, its skeletal matrix/theca does look pretty close to being acropora actually.

 

[F i s h y]

I am guessing some variety of tubastrea.

I agree with this

 

[MrMreef]

I am guessing some variety of tubastrea.

My vote too - Polyps look like they have 8 tentacles so it’s definitely not acro.

 

[C. Eymann]

My vote too - Polyps look like they have 8 tentacles so it’s definitely not acro.

Looks like OP is from Australia so who knows where the rock came from



Btw with acropora-
Axial corallites typically have six, radial corallites can have eight to twelve eitherway not a definitive ID trait.

The scale of the pic shows this is a very close up pic, actual coral encrustment takes up almost less space than a single Tubastrea polyp itself.

 

[PeterEde]

Where did you get the rock? if its cultured rock from Caribbean/ Atlantic only three species of Acropora exist there, A. palmata, A. cervicornis and a hybrid of the two A. prolifera

It is possible, but more than likely something like cladocora which is common on Atlantic rock.

Btw how big is this growth? looks like it might be smaller than the size of a nickel or dime? if so, its skeletal matrix/theca does look pretty close to being acropora actually.

It's likely from either Ningaloo or the GBR due to me being in Australia

 

[PeterEde]

Where did you get the rock? if its cultured rock from Caribbean/ Atlantic only three species of Acropora exist there, A. palmata, A. cervicornis and a hybrid of the two A. prolifera

It is possible, but more than likely something like cladocora which is common on Atlantic rock.

Btw how big is this growth? looks like it might be smaller than the size of a nickel or dime? if so, its skeletal matrix/theca does look pretty close to being acropora actually.

tiny so far. the whole cluster maybe 15mm dia

 

[C. Eymann]

tiny so far. the whole cluster maybe 15mm dia

Yeah, definitely not Tubastrea then, seems to have barrel/ tubular corallites like many acropora's axial and Incipient axial corallites.
I feel there is a good chance that is the start of a baby acro.

 

[F i s h y]

It's likely from either Ningaloo or the GBR due to me being in Australia

Very nice. Would love a little eco friendly rock from either place. Looks like there is a lot of life on that rock. Reminds me of old school fiji or pukani we used to be able to get. Loved the smell of opening a freshly imported box of rocks...

 

[PeterEde]

Very nice. Would love a little eco friendly rock from either place. Looks like there is a lot of life on that rock. Reminds me of old school fiji or pukani we used to be able to get. Loved the smell of opening a freshly imported box of rocks...

A lot of life
3 bristlestars
pistol shrimp
sea fleas
urchin
number of crabs
baby linkia starfish
lots of Zoa and this "acro"
and a couple of cumcumbers

 

[F i s h y]

A lot of life
3 bristlestars
pistol shrimp
sea fleas
urchin
number of crabs
baby linkia starfish
lots of Zoa and this "acro"
and a couple of cumcumbers

That's amazing. And it looks like some macro algae and sponges to.

 

[Goaway]

Lots of light and lots of flow. Stable water conditions. I am not sure where to start the acclimation process for your piece, I do hope it recovers and colors up for you!

 

[SamMule]

Wow, that is some awesome looking rock!
The skeleton looks very porous. Kinda reminds me of astreopora.
I am not even close to anything resembling an expert though.
@C. Eymann seems very knowledgeable when it comes to ID's