Help identifying coral

[LeMasterReef]

I hate to be that guy, but there are no Favia’s in the hobby. There are only two left in the genus, they are both Caribbean species, and there is no stony coral collection allowed in the Caribbean. Everything being sold as a ‘Favia’ is usually either a Favites, Goniastrea, Dipsastrea, Platygyra, or Coelastrea (there are a few other genera that sometimes show up for sale as ‘Favias’). I realize most people still just call most ‘closed brain’ corals ‘Favias’ out of convenience, but even before the reclassifications most of the corals sold as Favias weren’t Favias.

Just curious what this would be classified as?

 

[MaxTremors]

Just curious what this would be classified as?

It’s one of those corals that is really hard to definitively ID (especially from a photo), my best guesses would be a Favites or a chalice (which is a generic term for corals from like 8 different genera, chalices can be really difficult to definitively ID, some like the ‘Hollywood Stunner’ are easy, but some can be really tough). It looks a lot like the TSA Spicy Lemon Micro Favia, which isn’t a Favia (I realize that not that helpful, but at least you know what it isn’t, lol). It would be great if these vendors would put more effort into properly IDing stuff, and I get why they don’t (mostly to make it easier for people to search for common names), but they could at least put a tag with the actual species. I would maybe email TSA and ask if they know the actual species of the Spicy Lemon Favia, couldn’t hurt to see if they maybe have an idea.

 

[zpete3323]

Hope this helps!

I have a couple of them (second row from the front)

and they are decently fast growing. I keep them under radion xr30s (AB+ 35-45% throttle) and they have been happy just about everywhere in the rockscape and the floor so not too picky on par.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

It’s one of those corals that is really hard to definitively ID (especially from a photo), my best guesses would be a Favites or a chalice (which is a generic term for corals from like 8 different genera, chalices can be really difficult to definitively ID, some like the ‘Hollywood Stunner’ are easy, but some can be really tough). It looks a lot like the TSA Spicy Lemon Micro Favia, which isn’t a Favia (I realize that not that helpful, but at least you know what it isn’t, lol). It would be great if these vendors would put more effort into properly IDing stuff, and I get why they don’t (mostly to make it easier for people to search for common names), but they could at least put a tag with the actual species. I would maybe email TSA and ask if they know the actual species of the Spicy Lemon Favia, couldn’t hurt to see if they maybe have an idea.

You are absolutely right. Thanks for the correction and the explanation!

(I keep having to remind myself to use "fimbriaphyllia" as well... Lol)

 

[LeMasterReef]

It’s one of those corals that is really hard to definitively ID (especially from a photo), my best guesses would be a Favites or a chalice (which is a generic term for corals from like 8 different genera, chalices can be really difficult to definitively ID, some like the ‘Hollywood Stunner’ are easy, but some can be really tough). It looks a lot like the TSA Spicy Lemon Micro Favia, which isn’t a Favia (I realize that not that helpful, but at least you know what it isn’t, lol). It would be great if these vendors would put more effort into properly IDing stuff, and I get why they don’t (mostly to make it easier for people to search for common names), but they could at least put a tag with the actual species. I would maybe email TSA and ask if they know the actual species of the Spicy Lemon Favia, couldn’t hurt to see if they maybe have an idea.

Thanks, for the info. The best part about the hobby, always learning.

 

[LeMasterReef]

Hope this helps!

I have a couple of them (second row from the front)

and they are decently fast growing. I keep them under radion xr30s (AB+ 35-45% throttle) and they have been happy just about everywhere in the rockscape and the floor so not too picky on par.

I hope i can get it to take off!

 

[zpete3323]

I hope i can get it to take off!

Oh and they LOVE eating! I target feed them a couple frozen mysis as day. Helps keep the feeder tentacles out as much as possible!

 

[LeMasterReef]

Oh and they LOVE eating! I target feed them a couple frozen mysis as day. Helps keep the feeder tentacles out as much as possible!

I've been using reefroids a couple times a week. Trying not to blow my water quality up. I will try some mysis tonight! Thanks

 

[Cell]

I hate to be that guy, but there are no Favia’s in the hobby. There are only two left in the genus, they are both Caribbean species, and there is no stony coral collection allowed in the Caribbean. Everything being sold as a ‘Favia’ is usually either a Favites, Goniastrea, Dipsastrea, Platygyra, or Coelastrea (there are a few other genera that sometimes show up for sale as ‘Favias’). I realize most people still just call most ‘closed brain’ corals ‘Favias’ out of convenience, but even before the reclassifications most of the corals sold as Favias weren’t Favias.

While technically true, I struggle with the usage given if you tell someone it's a favia, they can easily figure out the care needed because that is the nomenclature everyone is familiar with, whereas if you say dipsastrea, most will still be in the dark. The reclassification is great from a scientific point of view, but it's really a PITA from a hobbyist point of view.

 

[LeMasterReef]

While technically true, I struggle with the usage given if you tell someone it's a favia, they can easily figure out the care needed because that is the nomenclature everyone is familiar with, whereas if you say dipsastrea, most will still be in the dark. The reclassification is great from a scientific point of view, but it's really a PITA from a hobbyist point of view.

That's basically what I was looking for, something to give me an idea for care requirements. I know that is a broad topic, and every tank and system is different.