Need an ID on this pretty please

[Connie]

Please excuse the crappy picture, but I think you can make out enough to ID. This pic doesn't do this piece justice either. I know it is a montipora, but what type? I have had it for a few months, but have never seen another one like it. Thanks for your help!

 

[spspirate]

Maybe a Pachyseris species.

 

[Tahoe61]

Are you sure it's not a Pachyseris Coral/Elephant skin?

 

[Connie]

Don't know Tahoe. It grows like a monti.

Are you sure it's not a Pachyseris Coral/Elephant skin?

 

[spspirate]

There are a lot of coral that encrust plate etc like montipora but Im 100% it's not a montipora species. Do you have another pic?

 

[Connie]

I think you hit the nail on the head. I googled Pachyseris and it does resemble that. My water is cloudy right now from minor rescaping...but I will post a better pic tomorrow.

 

[Connie]

Articles say it's very hard to care for, but all I did was stick it in the tank and it's doing great!

 

[spspirate]

LOL...! I wonder how old that article is?

 

[Connie]

Pththth who knows! The pic looked old taken by Bob Fenner...lol

 

[spspirate]

Good luck with that piece! Really pretty.

 

[Connie]

Here is a better picture:

 

[evolved]

Oh yeah, definitely a Pachyseris.

A good discussion emerged here not too long ago: https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/lp...large-polyp-stony-have-large-soft-polyps.html

 

[Connie]

It is an SPS, right? It has no polyps.

 

[Tahoe61]

Yes you're right a sps. It's another one of those weird ones like Hydnophora, Turbinaria Cup Coral. Taxonomy is a weird thing.

 

[Connie]

Thanks Tahoe. I said it had no polyps which is correct, as I've never seen any; however last night when feeding the corals after lights out, I found out it has some serious feeding filaments over an inch long, I just had not seen them before. Some info in case anyone is wondering.

 

[evolved]

Yes you're right a sps. It's another one of those weird ones like Hydnophora, Turbinaria Cup Coral. Taxonomy is a weird thing.

It's in the gray area. Which camp you shoe-horn it in is really a matter of thought.

Remember SPS and LPS are hobbyist classifications; there's nothing scientific about them!