Description: This coral is a variety of round chalice that is easily confused with Echinophyllia sp. and Echinopora sp, It is distinguished from Mycedium sp. by the latter having outward facing eyes.
Description: This coral is a variety of round chalice that is easily confused with Echinophyllia sp., Echinopora sp., and Oxypora sp. but has outward facing eyes that are well captured in the picture below.
Description: This coral encrusts surfaces and comes in a huge array of colors, though it is only now becoming a fairly common coral on the market. Its' ease of care makes it a colorful addition to a tank with a keeper of any experience.
Tyree sunset montipora
submitted by: ahayes13
Coral type: SPS
Scientific Name: Montipora sp.
Family: Acroporidae Behavior: peaceful
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: orange and green
Needs:
Water current: moderate
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: water change
Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: high
Care level: easy
Likes, but doesn't need:
Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes
Description: At one time was a highly collectible coral but now has become much more accessible for any reefer. Beautiful coloration with nice large polyps.
Description: This coral encrusts rock like many SPS do, but has LPS care requirements. It has distinctive ridges with prominent mouths, and is most often seen in a beautiful blue in the hobby.
Lithophyllon undulatum
Photo courtesy of ReefRunner
Description: This coral is easily confused with Cynarina sp. but is not as "meaty." It comes in nearly any color and combination, often with striking contrasts. Some can grow to nearly a foot across.
ORA Tricolor Valida
submitted by: ahayes13
Coral type: SPS
Scientific Name: Acropora valida
Family: Acroporidae Behavior: peaceful
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: tan, purple, green
Needs:
Water current: strong
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: water change
Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: high
Care level: moderate
Likes, but doesn't need:
Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes
Description: ORA aquacultured coral. Tan base with purple tips, with a green leading edge for new encrusting growth.
Behavior: peaceful
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: red or red-orange
Needs:
Water current: moderate
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: water change
Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: high
Care level: easy
Likes, but doesn't need:
Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes
Description: An interesting coral that may have many different growth forms. The setosa may encrust, branch or plate. It generally grows slowly.
Description: This coral has a distinctive maze-like pattern on its' surface similar to worm trails giving it the common name "worm brain." It is typically quite colorful, often with two contrasting colors appearing in the valleys and ridges on the coral surface.
Behavior: peaceful
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: pink, tan, brown, green
Needs:
Water current: moderate
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: water change
Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: high
Care level: easy
Description: An interesting coral that is generally found in shallow or muddy waters, and may not be attached. Usually found as a small colony. They are an uncommon coral.
Behavior: peaceful
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: brown, white
Needs:
Water current: High
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: water change
Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: moderate to high
Care level: easy
Likes, but doesn't need:
Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes
Description: Beautiful smooth skinned coral with narrow, fragile branches. The coral is also a fast grower.
Description: Oulophyllia sp. is a classic brain coral not often seen in the hobby. It can be quite colorful and forms large domed masses or flat plates. It is very hardy making it a good beginner coral.
Description: This is another classic brain coral that is slowly becoming more popular. It is easily confused with Favia sp. and Favites sp. Polyps are often raised above the coenosteum, differentiating this genus from the other two.
Description: The varying growth forms of this genus can make it look like a honeycomb, Platygyra sp., or Favites sp. There is no easy way to distinguish it from these other genera for the hobbyist.
Description: This coral can be confused with Plerogyra sp. (bubble coral) but is differentiated by forming wall-like structures. Bubbles (vesicles) are apparent during the day but deflate at night exposing its' feeding tentacles.
Description: This coral is quite fragile in the aquarium and should be considered an expert only coral. It can be confused with Alveopora sp., which has 12 tentacles per polyp, while Goniopora sp. has many more.
Button polyps
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Zoanthus sp.
Family: Zoanthidae
Behavior: Passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: nearly any color
Needs:
Water current: low to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: no
Trace Elements Supplement: yes
Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: low to high
Care level: beginner to expert
Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes
Description: Zoanthids are a common addition to a reef tank, but little is known about them scientifically and most are unclassified. The come from many environments and their care varies depending on where the strain comes from, making them sometimes quite difficult to keep. Others are great beginner corals.
Description: This coral is non-photosynthetic and requires regular feedings, making it an expert-only coral as feedings can quickly degrade water quality. It is very similar to Tubastrea sp. Tentacles extend mainly during the night.
Plate coral
Submitted by: Russellaqua
Scientific Name: Podobacia sp.
Family: Fungiidae
Behavior: Passive
Hosts Zooxanthellae: yes
Color variations: green
Needs:
Water current: Moderate to high
Iodine supplement: yes
Calcium Supplement: yes
Trace Elements Supplement: yes
Needs meaty foods: no
Needs Phytoplankton: no
Needs Microplankton: no
Lighting: moderate to high
Care level: Experienced
Likes meaty foods: no
Likes Phytoplankton: yes
Likes Microplankton: yes
Description: This coral is similar to Lithophyllon sp. and has many of the same care requirements. It is moderately hardy making for a coral suitable for the experienced reef keeper. It is not common in the hobby but when found is usually green, but may also be yellow.
