Wilsoni
Well-Known Member
@Lionfish Lair and I were discussing this in another members thread and I figured I would create my own to continue the discussion.
I found this hitchhiker growing on the side of a dead gorg at my LFS, it was half covered in sand with two tiny tentacles peeking out. I easily identified it as being NPS LPS with a quick glance, so naturally I convinced them to let me adopt it. They gladly let me take it as they assumed it was a pest anemone...
I was stoked to bring it home and mount it on a plug to add to my collection of NPS corals. I dipped it and it literally opened up within several minutes of introducing it into my tank which was rather surprising.
Upon my initial inspection with it's arms extended, I ventured to the internet to help identify it. I quickly discovered that it was a Cup Coral. Presumably the Devonshire Cup Coral as that was the first I found which matched up. Upon keeping it for several months I no longer believe it's a Devonshire and suspect it to be a different species falling within the Caryophyllia family.
Needless to say it's a quirky coral that most would overlook but I happen to find rather beautiful as the white Nematocysts glow nicely under blue LEDs.
I'd like to think I'm fairly knowledgeable when it comes to identifying NPS species as I've done countless research on them but this one specifically has me stumped.
Any insight to a more positive ID is appreciated and shared stories about similar experiences in keeping quirky hitchhikers are encouraged too!
I found this hitchhiker growing on the side of a dead gorg at my LFS, it was half covered in sand with two tiny tentacles peeking out. I easily identified it as being NPS LPS with a quick glance, so naturally I convinced them to let me adopt it. They gladly let me take it as they assumed it was a pest anemone...
I was stoked to bring it home and mount it on a plug to add to my collection of NPS corals. I dipped it and it literally opened up within several minutes of introducing it into my tank which was rather surprising.
Upon my initial inspection with it's arms extended, I ventured to the internet to help identify it. I quickly discovered that it was a Cup Coral. Presumably the Devonshire Cup Coral as that was the first I found which matched up. Upon keeping it for several months I no longer believe it's a Devonshire and suspect it to be a different species falling within the Caryophyllia family.
Needless to say it's a quirky coral that most would overlook but I happen to find rather beautiful as the white Nematocysts glow nicely under blue LEDs.
I'd like to think I'm fairly knowledgeable when it comes to identifying NPS species as I've done countless research on them but this one specifically has me stumped.
Any insight to a more positive ID is appreciated and shared stories about similar experiences in keeping quirky hitchhikers are encouraged too!
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