Acropora species ID help

[asydabass]

Looking to get a species I’d for this maricultured Acropora. When I first saw it I thought A. humilis, but now I’m thinking that the axial is too small and might be A. gemmifera. Any thoughts?

-Don

 

[Saltyreef]

I believe gemmifera is accurate.
Great identification and cool piece!!

 

[Graffiti Spot]

I would like to agree, let’s see an update once it’s grown some, not much to go on with such a small branch. Either species is a showpiece when grown in an aquarium correctly.

 

[asydabass]

It sure does glow just before lights out.

 

[asydabass]

@Graffiti Spot @Saltyreef
Want to take a shot at another stubby nub?
I haven’t taken the time to research this one yet, but my initial thoughts steer towards either Acropora monticulosa or A. globiceps. I’ll crack the book open after work and have a closer look.

Fragged and lit at night by a flashlight.

Colony photos in the post below.

-Don

 

[asydabass]

Here is the colony before fragging with various lighting and coloration over time.
@therman any thoughts?

-Don

 

[sculpin01]

I would add A. digitifera as another possibility for the top frag. The bottom looks like a A. monticulosa to me. I have one in grow out currently.

 

[asydabass]

@sculpin01 If it’s not gemmifera, digitifera is certainly the next most likely species. The reasons I’m leaning towards gemmifera are the variances in radial coralite size and the lack of a lip on the radial coralites. But as noted above, it’s tough to be certain on such a small branch.

Are there any characteristics that stand out that have you leaning towards A. monticulosa or is just the overall appearance compared to your specimen?
I would like to see you growout if you have a photo handy.
I certainly appreciate the input, thanks!

-Don

 

[sculpin01]

You know, I'm going to retract that. I thought it was a monticulosa but looking at it closer, I think it's a robusta.

This is what it looked like right before it nearly succumbed to RTN. It lost 95% of it's tissue but is currently regrowing nicely:

 

[sculpin01]

I do have this guy, who I think is a globiceps:

 

[Goby Bryant]

I believe gemmifera is accurate.
Great identification and cool piece!!

+1 nice piece

 

[asydabass]

This coral has been slow growing, but growing. The green has really intensified since adding it to the system. It’s absolutely glows in 14k and is starting to develop red inside the coralites. Unfortunately it took a tumble one day and landed on top of an acro that packed a meaner punch. The axial coralites took a beating but are recovering.

iPhone photo

Nikon photo (no post processing) captured as a jpeg. You can see the red developing if you zoom in.

 

[shandoee]

This coral has been slow growing, but growing. The green has really intensified since adding it to the system. It’s absolutely glows in 14k and is starting to develop red inside the coralites. Unfortunately it took a tumble one day and landed on top of an acro that packed a meaner punch. The axial coralites took a beating but are recovering.

iPhone photo

Nikon photo (no post processing) captured as a jpeg. You can see the red developing if you zoom in.

Hoping this survives and I wanna see it now if you still have it!

 

[sculpin01]

You know, I'm going to retract that. I thought it was a monticulosa but looking at it closer, I think it's a robusta.

This is what it looked like right before it nearly succumbed to RTN. It lost 95% of it's tissue but is currently regrowing nicely:

Only a year and a half later, but I finally have a definitive ID on this coral as Acropora polystoma. Too bad I lost it a year ago.

 

[Kasrift]

Here is the colony before fragging with various lighting and coloration over time.
@therman any thoughts?

-Don

I would guess acropora humulis.

 

[sculpin01]

I would guess acropora humulis.

From Veron:

http://www.coralsoftheworld.org/media/images/0056_C04_01.jpg