Is this stylophora?

[JDtimk]

seems like the polyps are too small for an astreopora, no? does still seem more like an encrusting monti to me. it's tough to get size perspective in the close up shots, but in the first post the shot seems to show a fairly small polyp size.

 

[icejam]

Hey, I just realized that @icejam is in Calgary. I am so used to other members being on the other side of that invisible force field of frag swap prevention, also known as the border, that I never even considered begging for a frag. I have a metallic green astreopora that would look great beside that red/pink one. Just saying! ;)

Dennis

Sure. As I am completely new and green to all this so let me figure out logistics and I'll shoot you a PM.
As I was saying before - more pictures coming tonight.
And wow. Did not expect it to turn in such a debate over what kind of coral it is. :)

 

[icejam]

seems like the polyps are too small for an astreopora, no? does still seem more like an encrusting monti to me. it's tough to get size perspective in the close up shots, but in the first post the shot seems to show a fairly small polyp size.

Yes the polyps are quite small. I'd say 2-3mm the most [1/8in]_

 

[Dennis Cartier]

I just went and compared the polyps on my monti's to my astreopora. The monti's are way smaller and have lots of tentacles. Really hard to see how many tentacles on the monti's as they are so small. The astreopora on the other hand has 6 tentacles and they are fat, the polyps are fat, like 4-6 x the monti polyps. The polyps also extend quite far from the flesh of the body on astreopora. The polyps have an easy to see stalk.

So I am leaning away from astreopora now.

Dennis

 

[icejam]

Sorry guys got stuck at work and the tank lights were off before I got back home.
I will take more pictures tomorrow.

 

[Algaewarrior]

My vote is cyphastrea. Looks great thought. One of the best hitchhikers I've ever seen.

 

[icejam]

Strange coral. It looks like it has 12 tentacles on each polyp. 6 upward bent and six backwards from tip. I thought Alveopora was the only ones having 12 tentacles but they are all bent the same so it does not look like an Alveopora to me. If You could get a better foto of one polyp it could make it easier. If you touch the polyp - is it retracting to a smooth surface or is it a skeleton tip under every polyp?

When I touch the polyp it retracts to a hard skeleton. You can see on some of the pictures where the coral was and receded - left behind small craters.
I tried my best to take better pictures but do not have camera good enough - nothing was any clearer than what already posted so no new pictures.

 

[DFR]

I would also say an encrusting monti based on description and pics, however I’ve never seen a coral (especially montipora) that was that tough. Congrats, looks like you got a real hardy survivor. Probably the best/quickest way to get an accurate I’d on this would just be to ask the person you got the rock from.

 

[icejam]

I would also say an encrusting monti based on description and pics, however I’ve never seen a coral (especially montipora) that was that tough. Congrats, looks like you got a real hardy survivor. Probably the best/quickest way to get an accurate I’d on this would just be to ask the person you got the rock from.

I never thought about that. I just sent them an email. Let's hope they'll reply.

 

[icejam]

Seller said it could be orange setosa.
Looks like we have this mystery solved and I need to somehow move it to the lower spot in the tank.

 

[Reeves' Reef]

That is a great hitch hiker story. Not a bad coral either. I say Montipora also. I think Cyphastrea is more of an encrusting coral and this is building off the structure.