Need ID

[bjledbetter]

Picked this up from a lfs for $12. I have kept lps and several different anemones for years but have lost the couple of sps frags in the past that I've tried to keep all but a birds nest and a monti cap. What is this and what conditions does it need(flow, Lighting). I don't check parameters but if the nems are doing well im sure everything else should do ok. For that large of a piece for that price i couldnt pass up trying it. It's kind of a orangeish brown color with green polyps.

 

[Mike J.]

Well you stole it; looks like a nice healthy piece. I'm thinking Acropora spp. Don't know what people call it, but believe it to be a staghorn. Here's some cool pictures to look at. Staghorn coral videos, photos and facts - Acropora formosa - ARKive

 

[bct15]

It looks kind of like a single branch of acropora insignis, but I don't think it will grow staghorn like that.

There is a couple really good sps IDers on here that will give you a good guess. (im not one).

 

[Mike J.]

Maybe Acropora striata or Acropora parahemprichii? Here's a cool site, you be the judge. It might have to get a little growth to be certain. Acropora striata. Corals of the World - Photos, maps and information about corals and reefs

 

[bjledbetter]

One thing is bothering me. The back where it had been growing up against a rock or something is missing a lot of flesh and is just bare skeleton. Will this recover or do i need to frag it down to where both sides are covered in flesh? Some more pics:

 

[Mike J.]

I'd cut it off. Not enough info. How long has it been like that? Is it spreading? May e you could glue it down the way you had it?

 

[bjledbetter]

When I bought it it was part of a colony. The back part was growing up against the rock. Plus it wasn't getting a lot of light. I'm not sure if its spreading or not as I only got the piece last night.

 

[Frick]

I am going to guess A. formosa as well. Give it strong water flow and moderate to strong light.
Acropora formosa. Corals of the World - Photos, maps and information about corals and reefs

 

[Mike J.]

I am going to guess A. formosa as well. Give it strong water flow and moderate to strong light.
Acropora formosa. Corals of the World - Photos, maps and information about corals and reefs

Those pictures are great, especially this one: