Species Identification

[xiaoxiy]

Hey guys,

I have this odd acropora that I haven't been able to figure out the ID of. It was given to me as a tenius, but I'm starting to question that identification. Anyone recognize the species?

Here's how the frag looked when it first came in. At this point, I could be convinced that it was a tenius.

After a couple months, it decided that it didn't like the original look and pretended to look like a smooth skin (kinda like a fire & ice echinata).

Here it is today. What an oddball....

 

[lemonade]

Still likely a Tenuis

 

[xiaoxiy]

Still likely a Tenuis

It's radial corallites look so much different than the two A. tenius next to it though! The branches are lankier and the radial corallites are further apart. Maybe you're right and it's odd growth pattern is due to flow. Any thoughts @C. Eymann?

 

[Graffiti Spot]

I think the fact that it is in a tight spot around other acros and the side of a rock is making it not grow normally. It hasn’t had room to branch out yet or develop any real base. Tenuis can grow very odd sometimes look at joe the coral for an example. Mine is basically a Clustering staghorn type of tenuis. I think Area of collection has some say on what it will look like as well, but I can’t say for certain what it is and am curious what c eymann thinks too.

 

[lemonade]

Tenuis can definitely get some weird shapes in aquariums, but could be A. Striata. I agree it’s location may also be hindering its growth

 

[xiaoxiy]

Tenuis can definitely get some weird shapes in aquariums, but could be A. Striata. I agree it’s location may also be hindering its growth

I actually was wondering if it was an A. Striata too, given the skinny branches. I guess we'll know for sure if it maintains the same branch and corallite shape over the next several months.

 

[C. Eymann]

It's radial corallites look so much different than the two A. tenius next to it though! The branches are lankier and the radial corallites are further apart. Maybe you're right and it's odd growth pattern is due to flow. Any thoughts @C. Eymann?

Like @lemonade and @Pedoconfuego mentioned, Id reckon its either striata or a odd growing tenuis.